The UN Security Council has approved a resolution extending the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) mandate for one year until April 30, 2027, with a decreased troop limit. Resolution 2820 garnered support from 13 out of 15 Security Council members, with China and Russia abstaining. Both countries expressed disappointment over the draft’s handling by the United States, the lead on South Sudan, citing concerns about reducing troop numbers and exerting pressure on the South Sudanese government.
The resolution outlines a reduction in troop levels from 17,000 to 12,500 personnel while keeping the police ceiling at 2,101 personnel. It also signals the Security Council’s openness to potential adjustments in UNMISS force levels and tasks based on security conditions and the transitional government’s collaboration with the mission. The US aimed to streamline the mission’s focus in alignment with its priorities, leading to discussions among Council members on various aspects, including the mission’s strategic direction, support for the peace process, resource reductions, and thematic areas like women, peace, security, climate change, and children in armed conflict.
The initial US draft emphasized UNMISS’s role in preventing a return to civil war and escalating violence in South Sudan. It highlighted the Council’s commitment to evaluating support for the mission based on progress in protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian access, and enhancing the political and security landscape. The EU4 members collaborated closely, advocating for their stances on these critical issues during the resolution discussions.
