Pakistan backs extension of South Sudan peacekeeping mission, warns on troop cuts

• Security Council renews UNMISS mandate until April 2027 as Pakistan backs extension, while China and Russia abstain in vote

• Ambassador Jadoon stresses need for strong political role, adequate resources for peacekeeping

• Warns troop cut could weaken civilian protection mandate as mission tasked with preventing relapse into civil war and monitor peace deal

 UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) until 30 April 2027, amid a deteriorating situation in the country.

Thirteen of the 15 Council members, including Pakistan, voted in favour of the resolution, with none against, while China and Russia abstained.

South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, gained independence in July 2011. The UN Mission in South Sudan was established on 8 July 2011 under Security Council resolution 1996 (2011).

Pakistan explains vote

Explaining his vote, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, said Pakistan supported the renewal of the UNMISS mandate primarily to reaffirm its commitment to peacekeeping operations.

At the same time, he said Pakistan shared several concerns expressed by African members, China and others.

He said the proposed reduction of the troop ceiling to 12,500 was not justified given the deteriorating political and security situation in South Sudan, warning that it could undermine the protection of civilians mandate as well as the safety and security of peacekeepers.

“We have consistently emphasized that mandates must be matched with adequate capabilities and resources,” he said.

Ambassador Jadoon further noted that the resolution significantly curtails the Mission’s political role, although its core task remains supporting the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement and sustaining the transition process in South Sudan.

At a time when progress on key benchmarks remains stalled, he said political engagement by the Mission should remain central rather than peripheral, stressing: “This goes against the principle that peacekeeping missions should support political solutions.”

Pakistan also regretted the removal of language on consultations with troop- and police-contributing countries in the context of the military and police capability study.

The Pakistani envoy also expressed concern over linking future adjustments in the Mission’s configuration to the level of host-state cooperation.

He said that while cooperation from the host government was essential—and Pakistan encouraged South Sudan to address obstructions and facilitate mandate implementation—peacekeeping operations remain instruments of the Security Council and require sustained, predictable political and financial support, particularly in fragile environments.

 Mandate priorities

Under the resolution, UNMISS is mandated to focus on: protection of civilians; creating conditions conducive to humanitarian assistance; supporting implementation of the Revitalized Agreement and peace process; and monitoring, investigating and reporting violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses.

The Council stressed that protection of civilians and facilitation of humanitarian assistance must be prioritised in all decisions regarding the use of available capacity and resources, while maintaining the mission’s important role in human rights monitoring and reporting.

 Persistent Political And Security Instability

Since independence, South Sudan has faced persistent political and security instability, alongside a deepening humanitarian crisis.

In 2018, parties to the conflict signed the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, paving the way for the formation in 2020 of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity.

Under the resolution, the Council decided that UNMISS’ mandate is designed to prevent a return to civil war and escalation of violence, while monitoring the peace agreement. It also reaffirmed that the Council will continue to review and assess the situation in South Sudan and the implementation of the mandate.