South Sudan Suspends Four UN Aircrafts
Foreign Minister Monday Semaya Kumba disclosed that intelligence assessments revealed two of the grounded aircraft contained sophisticated surveillance and intelligence equipment, characterizing the discovery as a direct threat to the country's national security. Authorities have established a dedicated investigative committee to examine the allegations, he announced.
The UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) firmly denied the charges. Spokesperson Priyanka Chowdhury stated that UN air operations are conducted transparently and used strictly to support the mission's mandate to protect civilians and support lasting peace in South Sudan. She confirmed UNMISS has been in talks with the authorities "for a while now" to resolve the issue.
This marks the second time Juba has taken action against United Nations aviation activities. In 2017, government officials halted UN flight operations amid tensions over peacekeeper positioning at the capital's primary airport, claiming the mission had overstepped its authorized role.
UNMISS began operations in 2011 after South Sudan separated from Sudan, tasked with safeguarding civilians, advancing peace negotiations, and enabling humanitarian relief distribution.
The world's newest nation continues to experience instability following a brutal five-year internal conflict that concluded with a 2018 peace accord. Political infighting, regional violence, and sporadic armed confrontations persistently endanger fragile stability gains. The UN issued warnings earlier this year that deteriorating security conditions could reverse progress and potentially reignite widespread warfare if signatories fail to uphold the agreement.
According to UN projections, more than 9 million individuals—roughly 70% of Africa's youngest nation's population—will need humanitarian assistance throughout 2025, encompassing critical support for nutrition, medical services, and basic survival needs.
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