Description: The UN Security Council voted in favor of a resolution which would downsize the organization’s peacekeeping contingent in South Sudan from 17 thousand troops to 12 thousand. The vote passed 13 – 0 in favor with Russia and China abstaining with both countries raising concerns that the country could retract towards a widespread civil war after recent upscale in fighting between the military and opposition groups. The mandate of the reduced peacekeepers would be to prevent the civil war from happening, secure humanitarian aid corridors and protect the civilian population. UN troops were previously reported to have been blocked from fulfilling their duties by forces either loyal to president Salva Kiir or armed opposition groups loyal to first vice – president Riek Machar.
Impact: The downsizing of UN’s peacekeeping troops likely raises the risk of military confrontation as recent events have demonstrated that SPLM – IO Sudan’s People Liberation Movement in Opposition) loyal to Machar have escalated attacks on government outposts. The country is also facing severe food shortages as per previous reports by the UN, which is likely to further deteriorate as humanitarian aid is regularly looted or blocked from reaching its intended destination. President Salva Kiir recently ousted several ministers which is likely a signal of political infighting within the standing government which further intensifies the risk of armed confrontations. South Sudan also serves as a launching pad for military operations conducted by the RSF in Sudan which further aggravates the risk of cross – border conflicts in an already volatile security environment and desperate humanitarian crisis.