UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
Why in News?
- On 24 August 2026, a UNMISS patrol travelling towards Pajut in Jonglei State, South Sudan, was ambushed by unidentified armed men. Two Ethiopian UN peacekeepers were killed, while seven others—including three peacekeepers, two South Sudanese police personnel and two UN civilian staff—were injured. UNMISS deployed a Quick Reaction Force and called for an investigation.
- India condemned the attack, stressing the need to respect the safety and inviolability of UN peacekeepers.
- United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is a UN peacekeeping operation established by UN Security Council Resolution 1996 (2011) following South Sudan's independence.
- It was established on 9 July 2011, the same day South Sudan became independent.
- Headquarters: Juba, South Sudan.
- It operates under a Chapter VII mandate of the UN Charter, allowing the mission to take necessary action to protect civilians and fulfil its mandate.
- Its broad objective is to protect civilians, support peace and security, promote human rights and assist the implementation of the peace process.
- The UN Security Council renewed UNMISS through Resolution 2820 (2026), extending its mandate until 30 April 2027.
- The mission is authorised to undertake tasks including:
- Protection of civilians under imminent threat.
- Supporting implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
- Creating conditions conducive to humanitarian assistance.
- Monitoring and reporting human rights violations.
- Supporting an environment conducive to free, fair and peaceful political processes.
- South Sudan became independent in 2011, but subsequently experienced severe political and ethnic violence.
- The 2013 civil war erupted largely from the political conflict between President Salva Kiir and then-Vice President Riek Machar.
- The 2018 peace agreement attempted to establish a power-sharing arrangement, but implementation has remained fragile.
- Continued intercommunal violence, armed-group activity and political tensions threaten civilians and humanitarian operations.
- India has been an important contributor to UN peacekeeping in South Sudan.
- Indian personnel serve in military, medical, engineering, aviation and other peacekeeping roles.
- On 17 August 2026, 210 Indian peacekeepers, including six women and seven staff officers, received UN Medals for their service with UNMISS.
- Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian of the Indian Army has served as the Force Commander of UNMISS.
- India's participation reflects its long-standing role as one of the world's major contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.
