Security Council renews mandate of UN Mission in South Sudan with reduced troop ceiling

Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam 

The Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for one year, until April 30, 2027, with a reduced troop ceiling.

Resolution 2820 won the support of 13 of the Security Council's 15 members, while China and Russia abstained.

Both China and Russia, in their explanations of the vote, expressed regret over the handling of the draft by the United States, the penholder on South Sudan. They said they supported extending UNMISS's mandate, but could not agree on the reduction in the troop ceiling and on the draft resolution's attempt to exert pressure on the South Sudanese government.

The resolution decides to reduce the troop ceiling from 17,000 to 12,500 personnel while maintaining the police ceiling at 2,101 personnel.

It also expresses the Security Council's readiness to consider further adjustments to UNMISS force levels and mandated tasks, based on security conditions on the ground and the transitional government's cooperation with the mission.