(S/RES/2820)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 10 148th meeting on 30 April 2026
The Security Council,
1
Recalling its previous resolutions, statements of its President, and press statements concerning the situation in South Sudan,
2
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Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of the Republic of South Sudan, and
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Recalling the importance of the principles of non-interference, non-use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, good-neighborliness, and regional cooperation,
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Affirming its continued support for the 2018 “Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan” (the Revitalized Agreement), and
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Stressing that the peace process only remains viable with the full commitment by all parties,
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Recalling the Council&a;s recognition in previous resolutions of the security, humanitarian, economic and human cost of the conflict in all its forms, the challenges faced by UNMISS and the people of South Sudan, and the critical role, functions and operations of UNMISS,
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Recognizing protection of civilian and humanitarian aid activities by UNMISS peacekeepers and troop- and police-contributing countries operating in South Sudan,
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Expressing appreciation for the actions taken by UNMISS in implementing the UNMISS mandate in a challenging environment,
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Condemning in the strongest terms all attacks against UNMISS,
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Underlining that such attacks may constitute war crimes, and
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Demanding accountability for those responsible,
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Stressing the urgent need for UNMISS to improve its protection of civilians performance through proactive patrols and rapid response to threats,
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Demanding that the Transitional Government of South Sudan fully cooperate with UNMISS in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement, and immediately cease all interference with its mandate implementation, and
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Recalling that obstruction of UNMISS operations may constitute a violation of the Status of Forces Agreement and may warrant further Council action,
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Expressing appreciation for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development&a;s (IGAD) leadership in advancing the peace process for South Sudan, welcoming the efforts of IGAD member states, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the African Union (AU) including AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5), the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, the United Nations (UN), and regional partners in engaging South Sudanese leaders to address the crisis, and
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Encouraging their continued proactive engagement,
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Encouraging resumption of direct political dialogue between signatories to the Revitalized Agreement and political dialogue between signatories and non-signatories to the Revitalized Agreement,
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Encouraging substantive progress towards holding credible and accountable elections, and
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Urging all parties to continue their efforts to peacefully resolve disputes in order to achieve an inclusive and sustainable peace,
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Determining that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, and
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Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations:
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Decides to extend the mandate of UNMISS until 30 April 2027;
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Decides that UNMISS&a;s mandate is designed to prevent a return to civil war and an escalation of violence in South Sudan, and to monitor the peace agreement, and
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Further notes the Security Council will continue to review and assess the situation in South Sudan, as well as the implementation of this mandate, in light of progress or lack thereof on the protection of civilians, the facilitation of humanitarian access, and improvements in the political and security environment in South Sudan by the parties to the conflict, including their commitments under the Revitalized Agreement;
3
Further decides that any support provided by UNMISS in furtherance of its mandate to protect civilians and create the conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance shall be informed by robust conflict-sensitive analysis, provided in strict compliance with the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP), and assessed by the Security Council in light of progress made by the parties;
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Decides that UNMISS shall have the following mandate:
a
(Protection of civilians)
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To use all necessary means to ensure effective, timely, dynamic, and thorough protection of civilians under threat of physical violence through a comprehensive and integrated approach, in areas of emerging or ongoing violence that require urgent attention and, in this regard:
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To prevent, deter, and stop violence against civilians, including politically driven violence, particularly in high-risk areas, as well as
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To promptly and effectively engage any actor that is credibly found to be preparing attacks, or engaging in attacks, against civilians;
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To maintain a proactive deployment and a mobile, flexible, robust, and effective posture using both police and military components, including by conducting targeted and active patrolling by foot and by vehicle, day and night,
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Emphasizing that, pursuant to the SOFA, UNMISS is fully authorized to undertake its mandated tasks, while
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Considering how UNMISS can leverage technology to maximize mission efficiencies to support protection of civilians, information gathering and situational awareness;
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To identify and deter threats and attacks against civilians, in all areas where troops and police are deployed, including through mission-wide early warning and response, informed by regular engagement with affected communities;
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To protect civilians, and maintain public safety and security of and within the UNMISS protection of civilians sites and re-designated sites, irrespective of the source of violence,
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To maintain a flexible posture linked to threat analysis,
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To rapidly respond to threats in other locations, and
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To promptly develop contingency plans for protecting civilians in both the protection of civilians and re-designated sites in a crisis, and ensure the ability to scale up presence and protection of re-designated sites if the security situation deteriorates;
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To deter, prevent, and respond to violence and conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls, men and boys, including
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by actively intervening to protect civilians threatened by, and survivors of, sexual violence, irrespective of its source, and
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by facilitating access to organizations that provide services and support to survivors through inter alia mediation and community engagement, and the continued deployment and effective use of Women Protection Advisers, Child Protection Advisers and Gender Advisers;
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To exercise good offices, confidence-building, and facilitation in support of UNMISS&a;s protection strategy, especially in regard to protection for women, youth, and children, including
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To facilitate the prevention, mitigation, and resolution of intercommunal violence, and
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To deter prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls, men and boys, including through effective liaison with communities;
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To facilitate the conditions for safe and free movement into, out of, and around Juba, including
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At the means of ingress and egress from the city and
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Major lines of communication and transport within Juba, including the airport;
b
(Creating the conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance)
i
To contribute, in close coordination with humanitarian actors, to the creation of security conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance, so as to allow, in accordance with international law, including applicable international humanitarian law, all humanitarian personnel full, safe and unhindered access to all those in need in South Sudan, and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, including to IDPs and refugees, consistent with United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian assistance, including humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence, including by providing risk assessments on the adverse effects of environmental change, flooding and drought;
ii
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To ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel where appropriate, including through explosive ordnance risk mitigation and clearance, and
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To ensure the security of its installations and equipment necessary for implementation of mandated tasks;
c
(Supporting the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement and Peace Process)
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To work with the African Union, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5), the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and other regional stakeholders in facilitating a political resolution of the current political and security situation;
ii
To use targeted good offices to support the peace process, create conditions conducive to peace, and prevent further escalation of political violence;
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To monitor and report on progress on security sector and legal reforms, the constitutional process, the census, preparation for elections, and transitional justice mechanisms that promote accountability and inclusive governance, and
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To encourage the parties to make progress on their own commitments;
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To facilitate dialogue between parties and support coordination between the transitional government, and relevant regional and international organizations in furtherance of UNMISS&a;s mandate, with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, and meaningful engagement of youth and civil society;
d
(Monitoring, investigating, and reporting on alleged violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights)
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To monitor, investigate, verify, and report immediately and publicly
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On alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law,
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Including analyzing patterns of conduct with respect to alleged violations and abuses, and
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Including all forms of conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls, men and boys,
And, where possible,
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On the chains of command and decision-making structures that led to such acts,
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Including those that may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity in order to combat impunity and to facilitate holding perpetrators accountable,
With due regard to survivor-centered approaches,
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Including the protection of victims and witnesses;
ii
To strengthen and implement monitoring, analysis, and reporting arrangements on sexual violence against women and girls, men and boys, including conflict-related sexual violence, including through the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA), and the monitoring and reporting mechanism on alleged violations and abuses against children, to promote timely action to deter, prevent, and respond to such violations and abuses;
iii
To monitor, investigate, and report on incidents of intentional dissemination of false and falsified information and incitement to violence against civilians, including on ethnic grounds, and UNMISS, in cooperation with the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide; and
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To coordinate with and share appropriate information with, and provide technical support to, international, regional, community and national mechanisms and relevant local stakeholders engaged in monitoring, investigating, prosecuting, and reporting on such violations and abuses, as appropriate, including those that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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Authorizes UNMISS to use all necessary means to implement its mandate,
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Requests the Secretary-General to inform the Security Council of any obstacles to the implementation of the mandate, and
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Stresses that the protection of civilians and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance and shall be given priority in decisions about the use of available capacity and resources, while maintaining the important role of human rights monitoring and reporting;
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Decides to reduce the overall force levels of UNMISS with a troop ceiling of 12 500 personnel, and a police ceiling of 2101 personnel, and
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Expresses its readiness to consider further adjustments to UNMISS force levels and mandated tasks, as appropriate, based on security conditions on the ground and on the transitional government&a;s cooperation with the mission;
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Takes note of developments in the implementation of UNMISS&a;s Contingency Plan, including, inter alia, the conclusion of the repatriation process, and the establishment of a joint committee between the Government of South Sudan and UNMISS, and
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Stresses the importance of engaging in good-faith dialogue and resolving any future issues through amicable consultations;
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Urgently calls upon the transitional government and all relevant actors to take action to fulfill the following priority measures:
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Utilize robust conflict-sensitive analysis to provide protection of civilians and security to re-designated protection of civilians sites, and to prevent and respond to violence or criminality directed towards the inhabitants of those sites in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as applicable;
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End all obstructions to UNMISS operations and freedom of movement,
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Respect UNMISS&a;s ability to use all of its bases without restrictions, including, but not limited to, its base in Tomping, adjacent to Juba International Airport, Wau and Bentiu, and
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Facilitate the freedom of movement of regional and international organizations and other international partners;
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Engage in good faith dialogue with UNMISS;
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Comply with the obligations set out in the SOFA between the transitional government and the United Nations;
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Establish a system to end inappropriate and harmful taxes, fees, or interference with the import of goods by UNMISS, United Nations agencies, and diplomatic missions;
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Respect international humanitarian law, as applicable, including by ending attacks on civilian and medical facilities, and by respecting and protecting humanitarian and medical personnel and facilities, and
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Ensure humanitarian assistance can reach civilians rapidly, safely and without obstruction; and
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Conclude without further delay a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union to establish the Hybrid Court for South Sudan.
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Emphasizes the vital role UNMISS&a;s bases play in facilitating protection of civilians, delivery of humanitarian assistance, and ensuring the security of international partners,
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Calls upon the transitional government to take action to deter, and to hold those responsible to account for, any hostile or other actions that impede UNMISS or international and national humanitarian actors, and to continue to take all appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security and freedom of movement of UNMISS personnel and assets with unhindered and immediate access,
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Reminds the transitional government that, pursuant to the SOFA, UNMISS, as well as its contractors, does not require prior authorization or permission to undertake its mandated tasks and shall enjoy full and unrestricted freedom of movement without delay throughout South Sudan,
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Reminds the transitional government that any returns or relocation of internally displaced persons or refugees must be voluntary, informed and undertaken in conditions of safety and dignity, and that freedom of movement of civilians and their right to seek asylum should be respected, and
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Requests the transitional government to keep UNMISS, regional and international organizations, and other international partners informed of such movements;
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Demands that all parties allow, in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law, the rapid, safe and unhindered access of humanitarian relief without obstruction throughout South Sudan, and
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Stresses the obligation to respect and protect all humanitarian, civilian, and medical personnel, facilities, means of transport and equipment;
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Demands that all parties immediately cease all forms of violence, human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law including sexual violence against women, girls, boys, and men, and
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Calls upon all relevant actors to comply with applicable Security Council resolutions on conflict-related sexual violence and children and armed conflict;
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Demands that all relevant actors
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Comply with Security Council resolutions on children and armed conflict,
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Implement The Conclusions on Children and Armed Conflict in South Sudan adopted by the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict on 19 July 2023,
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Strengthen the legal framework to safeguard children&a;s rights in South Sudan, and
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Combat impunity and promote accountability including for the grave violations perpetrated against children;
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Requests the Secretary-General
a
To report to the Security Council on the implementation of the UNMISS mandate, including on
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Any violations of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) or obstructions to UNMISS in carrying out its mandated tasks, including restrictions on its freedom of movement, basing, operations, and efforts to resolve these issues with the Transitional Government of South Sudan on a monthly basis while ensuring full transparency, and
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The protection of civilians, the facilitation of humanitarian access, and the monitoring and reporting on violations and abuses of human rights, analysis of risks associated with environmental change that may adversely impact peace and security in South Sudan and the implementation of the mandate,
In a comprehensive written report to be submitted within 90 days of the adoption of this resolution and every 90 days thereafter;
b
To provide, where appropriate, clear and timely recommendations for Security Council action, particularly in response to violations of SOFA and obstructions to UNMISS, to address obstacles to the implementation of the mandate identified in these reports; and
c
To consider, monitor and report the environmental impacts of its operations when fulfilling its mandated tasks;
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Requests the Secretary-General
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To conduct a Military and Police capability study, in close coordination with the Force Commander for the purpose of assessing the adequacy of the Mission&a;s current force levels, composition and posture, command and control arrangements, force mobility, quick reaction capacity, reserve arrangements, reach, and enablers, and
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To submit its findings to the Security Council within 120 days from the adoption of this resolution; and
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Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.