UN mission scales down operation in South Sudan due to budget cuts: spokesperson
By Denis Ejulu
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Monday said it is in the process of closing down operating bases/field offices across the country due to budget cuts.
Priyanka Chowdhury, spokesperson for UNMISS said they are in the process of closing field offices in Aweil, Northern Bahr El Ghazal State and Torit in Eastern Equatoria State and other smaller bases in Yei, Koch, Akobo, Bunj and Pariang.
“Regrettably, the UN-wide financial shortfall resulting from delays and gaps in Member State contributions has a direct impact on UNMISS. In response to this situation, we have been asked by the Secretary-General to significantly reduce 15 percent of our budget by 30 June 2026,” Chowdhury told Juba Echo in Juba.
She noted that they are currently reducing both operational expenditures and staffing levels in a bid to consolidate the Mission’s presence across the country.
Chowdhury revealed that their offices in Rumbek and Kuajok are moving to a mostly military reconfiguration.
“While we recognize that operating with a reduced footprint and fewer resources brings real challenges, our commitment to supporting peace, stability, and the people of South Sudan remains steadfast. At this critical time, we greatly value and rely on the government’s continued cooperation—particularly in facilitating the safe and unhindered movement of our personnel and assets—to ensure that these adjustments can be implemented on schedule,” she said.
The South Sudan government on Friday said that the downsizing of the United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNMISS) has already commenced, which will see the more than 19,000-strong force trimmed by 19 percent under the agreed upon United Nations Contingency Plan.
Apuk Ayuel Mayen, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said that the UN contingency plan is being overseen by the joint adhoc mechanism of the government and UNMISS.
The transitional government of national unity last week said that it was working in partnership with UNMISS and facilitating the implementation of the UN downsizing contingency plan.
It noted that size of the over 19,000-strong peacekeeping force will be reduced between 15-19 percent under the UN contingency plan agreed upon with the United Nations.
The overall ceiling for troop numbers in the peacekeeping force that has been in South Sudan since independence in 2011 includes 17,000 military forces, 2,101 police, including 88 justice and corrections advisers.
