The Security Council extends the United Nations mission in South Sudan while reducing troop numbers

The Security Council extends the United Nations mission in South Sudan until 2027 while reducing troop numbers

The United Nations Security Council approved a decision yesterday evening to extend the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan for an additional year, while reducing its size, despite opposition from several member states.

Thirteen members voted in favor of the decision, while Russia and China abstained, leading to the extension of the mission until April 30, 2027.

Significant reduction in the number of UN peacekeepers in South Sudan

The decision stipulated a reduction in the number of peacekeepers in the mission, with the new maximum set at 12,500 soldiers, compared to 17,000 previously, in addition to about 2,100 police officers.

This mission, deployed in 2011 following South Sudan's independence, is among the largest UN missions in the region, but it has seen successive reductions in size over recent years.

International criticism of the decision to reduce UN mission troops

The decision to reduce the number of peacekeepers has drawn criticism from several countries, including China, Russia, and Pakistan, as well as African member states in the council such as Somalia, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Despite this reduction, the United Nations clarified that the new number does not actually affect the current situation, as the mission had already scaled back its field presence due to budget constraints.

UN figures reveal the current deployment in South Sudan

According to United Nations data, the number of peacekeepers in South Sudan was about 9,000 soldiers by the end of March, compared to around 14,000 soldiers a year ago.

This gradual decline reflects the financial and logistical challenges facing the mission in carrying out its tasks.

China and Russia warn of the impact of the mission's reduction on civilian protection

Chinese Ambassador Sun Li stated that the reduction in troop numbers has affected the mission's ability to protect civilians and provide humanitarian assistance, calling for an increase instead of a reduction, considering the on-ground developments in the country.

For her part, Russian Deputy Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva emphasized the need to provide "an adequate level of resources" for the peacekeeping mission to ensure its readiness to face various scenarios.

South Sudan faces escalating conflicts since independence

South Sudan is the world's newest country, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011, yet it has been experiencing a series of bloody internal conflicts since then.

The country is currently witnessing an escalation in fighting between government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition militias loyal to his former deputy Riek Machar, further complicating the security and humanitarian situation.