South Sudan’s political, security and humanitarian crises are deepening as the country prepares for elections in December 2026, a senior UN official has warned. Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UN secretary-general’s special representative and head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said on Thursday that conditions for credible, peaceful and inclusive polls remain uncertain.
She said political trust among key stakeholders remains fragile, with limited progress in implementing the Revitalised Peace Agreement and concerns over the participation of opposition actors in the transition process.
Gbeho also raised concerns over ongoing clashes between government forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), particularly in Jonglei, warning that civilians continue to suffer from displacement and loss of livelihoods.
Between January and June, more than 420,000 people were displaced by violence, while South Sudan is hosting about 1.4 million people who fled the war in neighbouring Sudan.
She called on South Sudan’s leaders and the international community to prioritize ending the fighting, protecting civilians and humanitarian workers, and ensuring access to aid. President Salva Kiir has maintained that elections will be held as scheduled on December 22, 2026.