United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged South Sudan’s government and opposition forces to immediately halt all military operations, warning that escalating violence is deepening civilian suffering and worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
The army last week launched a major offensive in Jonglei State against forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), ordering civilian evacuations and telling aid agencies to leave areas where military operations are ongoing.
In a Thursday statement attributed to his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres said he was “deeply concerned” by the continued escalation of violence, most recently in Jonglei, where fighting has caused many deaths and injuries and displaced a reported 180,000 civilians.
He said he was alarmed by inflammatory rhetoric targeting specific communities and by the announcement of expanded military operations, warning that such actions would further harm civilians already in a highly vulnerable situation.
The UN chief also expressed grave concern over the impact of the violence on an already severe humanitarian crisis. According to government figures, around 250,000 civilians were displaced across South Sudan in the first few weeks of 2026 alone due to ongoing conflict.
Guterres called on all parties to protect civilians, ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance, and guarantee the security of United Nations peacekeepers, humanitarian personnel and their assets.
He urged the government and opposition forces to take “immediate and decisive action” to halt all military operations and de-escalate tensions through inclusive dialogue.
The statement also reminded the parties to the 2018 peace agreement — particularly President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar — of the need to pursue a “political, not military, solution” and to pave the way for credible elections.
Guterres welcomed efforts by the African Union and the East African regional bloc IGAD to support inclusive dialogue aimed at ending the crisis.
Fighting between South Sudan’s army (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) has intensified since December 2025 in northern Jonglei State.
The SPLA-IO is loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar, whose party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), is part of the transitional government formed under a 2018 peace deal.
Tensions escalated in early 2025, exposing deep fractures within the unity government. Clashes were first reported in January in Western Equatoria State before spreading north.
Machar has been under house arrest since March 2025 and is facing trial.