Juba, 10 November 2026 – Briefing the United Nations Security Council today, Anita Kiki Gbeho, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), urged the country’s leaders to end the fighting and engage in inclusive dialogue to reduce tensions and preserve the transition.
“With just 42 days until South Sudan's first planned election as a sovereign state, the country is at a critical juncture” stated Ms. Gbeho.
She noted that key concerns about preparedness persist, including security, logistics, and the ability to deliver elections in an extremely compressed timeframe.
Moreover, uncertainties surrounding the post-election peace process require urgent attention. Key benchmarks of the Revitalized Peace Agreement remain outstanding, highlighting the importance of establishing a clear, credible, and mutually agreed pathway for the continued implementation of the Agreement.
Turning to security, SRSG Gbeho noted a decline in confrontations between the principal signatories but warned that communal violence continues to harm civilians.
She also stated that approximately 10 million people need humanitarian assistance, while access restrictions have risen by 38 per cent over the past year. Despite these obstacles, UNMISS has recently doubled its humanitarian protection escorts, helping aid reach more than 321,000 people.
Ms. Gbeho appealed to all parties to stop fighting, uphold the ceasefire, and protect civilians; guarantee humanitarian access and UNMISS freedom of movement; and begin expanded, inclusive political dialogue without delay.
“Ultimately, the challenge facing South Sudan is not simply whether elections can be held on December 22 or not. It is whether the remainder of the transition can preserve peace, strengthen public confidence and deliver on the commitments made to the people of South Sudan,” she concluded.
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Contact: UNMISS Spokesperson, Priyanka Chowdhury at chowdhury20@un.org or unmiss-spokesperson@un.org