In Akobo, located in the Jonglei State near the Ethiopian border, a mass exodus of civilians has been witnessed following orders from the South Sudanese army for the population and humanitarian organizations to evacuate the area. This move is anticipated as part of a large-scale military operation aimed at opposing forces, raising alarms over the fragility of the peace agreement signed in 2018. There are strong fears that the nation may revert to a state of civil war as tensions mount and military activities escalate.

The military ultimatum issued by South Sudan's army is set to expire on Monday evening, coinciding with a military campaign dubbed 'Sustained Peace', launched earlier this year in January. Since December, over 280,000 individuals have been displaced in Jonglei State following the opposition’s seizure of government positions. Concerns about a humanitarian crisis are compounded by these military operations, which disrupt the peace process and directly affect civilian safety.

The UN Human Rights Commission in South Sudan has expressed grave concern regarding the potential for a 'return to full-scale warfare' unless the leadership actively addresses ongoing challenges. They emphasize that preserving institutional integrity and protecting this transitional phase require immediate national, regional, and international engagement. As the region becomes increasingly volatile, the demand for urgent interventions is paramount to prevent the further deterioration of the situation into a full-blown conflict.