UN peacekeepers in South Sudan have for the first time established a temporary operational base north of Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, the United Nations said Monday.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) deployed personnel to Duk Padiet over the weekend, setting up a temporary base for several days. It marked the first UN access to the area since the outbreak of conflict, following repeated denials of entry.
“The peacekeepers established a temporary base to enable sustained engagement with local authorities and communities,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York, citing statements by Secretary-General António Guterres.
During the deployment, UNMISS teams assessed security conditions, human rights concerns, and reports of conflict-related sexual violence, while monitoring humanitarian access, Dujarric said.
In a separate statement over the weekend, Guterres condemned escalating violence in South Sudan, where nearly 10 million people—more than two-thirds of the population—urgently need life-saving aid.
He called on all parties to halt military actions, reduce tensions, respect international law, protect civilians, and ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access.
Sudan: Attacks on Civilians
Turning to Sudan, Dujarric expressed deep concern over ongoing attacks on civilians and medical facilities, which have further weakened an already fragile health system.
Humanitarian partners reported drone strikes near the Sudan-Chad border on Friday that killed six people, with four more later dying from injuries in hospitals operating under “extreme strain,” he said.
In South Kordofan, the World Health Organization reported that three health facilities were hit last week, killing at least 31 people—including children, women, and four health workers—and injuring many others.
“Attacks on health services are unacceptable and have life-threatening consequences,” Dujarric said.
The International Organization for Migration said around 750 people were newly displaced from Dilling in South Kordofan on Friday and Saturday. While roughly 3.5 million people have returned to their communities elsewhere in Sudan, more than 9 million remain internally displaced.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) renewed calls for more funding and safe, unhindered access to deliver life-saving aid to millions across Sudan.