UN votes to cut the peacekeeping force in South Sudan

UN Security Council Cuts South Sudan Peacekeeping Force Amid Ongoing Tensions

The United Nations Security Council has voted to significantly reduce the size of its peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, cutting the maximum troop ceiling from 17,000 to 12,000 while extending the mandate until April 2027. The resolution, drafted by the United States, passed with 13 votes in favor, with Russia and China abstaining.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz, addressing the council after the vote, emphasized that the revised mission would focus on “getting back to basics” – maintaining peace, protecting civilians, and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need throughout the troubled nation.

The decision comes at a critical juncture for South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011 following decades of conflict. Initial optimism surrounding the world’s newest nation quickly dissolved when the country plunged into civil war in December 2013, primarily along ethnic lines between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and those supporting Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer.

The devastating conflict claimed more than 400,000 lives before a fragile peace agreement was signed in 2018, establishing a national unity government with Kiir as president and Machar as vice president. However, this power-sharing arrangement collapsed in March 2025 when Kiir’s government placed Machar under house arrest, accusing him of subversive activities. Machar now faces serious treason charges.

Since Machar’s removal from power, South Sudan has experienced a troubling surge in violence and a breakdown of the 2018 peace agreement. Despite these challenges, the government maintains that presidential elections – already long delayed – will proceed as scheduled in December.

During the Security Council session, Ambassador Waltz expressed concern about the Kiir government’s approach, suggesting it was “exploiting international support and obstructing those that are genuinely trying to help.” He cited alarming statistics, noting that between October and March, UN peacekeepers documented over 480 incidents where they were blocked from carrying out their duties, humanitarian access was denied, repatriation flights were obstructed, and bases were forced to close.

“Millions of dollars were lost and wasted,” Waltz told the council, underscoring the financial toll of these obstructions alongside their humanitarian impact.

The U.S. position reflects a broader view that UN peacekeeping missions should be temporary measures designed to help governments navigate through security crises rather than becoming permanent fixtures. This philosophy appears to be driving the reduction in force size despite ongoing instability in the region.

Russia’s deputy ambassador Anna Evstigneeva voiced opposition to the troop reduction, arguing for maintaining the mission’s previous capacity. “The mission must be ready for any scenario and security challenges,” she stated. “It should have a sufficient level of resources for that.”

The situation in South Sudan remains precarious as the nation grapples with political instability, ethnic tensions, and humanitarian challenges. Oil-rich but infrastructure-poor, South Sudan continues to struggle with establishing effective governance more than a decade after independence.

The reduced peacekeeping mission will face significant challenges in fulfilling its mandate to prevent a return to civil war while operating with fewer resources. The success of the mission will likely depend on the political willingness of South Sudanese leaders to prioritize peace and stability over power consolidation.

As December elections approach, international observers remain concerned about whether the country can avoid another cycle of violence, particularly given the breakdown of the power-sharing arrangement that had temporarily halted the civil war.