RUMBEK, South Sudan — UN peacekeepers have restored a fragile calm in Rumbek, South Sudan, deploying around-the-clock patrols after two days of deadly intercommunal clashes left at least 60 people dead. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) intervened to protect civilians and secure critical infrastructure as the capital of Lakes State begins to recover from the severe violence.
Normalcy is gradually returning to the city. Shops have reopened, and residents are resuming their daily routines, though the trauma of the conflict remains vivid in the community. Witnesses described the fighting as overwhelming, recalling massive shooting and heavy gunfire. Many residents were forced to hide under their beds or flee with their children to escape the crossfire and save their families.
State authorities reported that the two-day bout of violence temporarily displaced approximately 500 families. Additionally, 17 humanitarian workers found themselves trapped north of the town during the height of the unrest.
A UNMISS spokesperson detailed the rapid intervention by the United Nations peacekeeping force to protect civilians and evacuate the trapped aid workers. The mission successfully secured vital facilities, including hospitals, the local airport, and World Food Programme (WFP) premises.
Highlighting the immediate threats on the ground, a spokesperson for the UNMISS sector headquarters explained that troops were mobilized immediately to the Rumbek State Hospital. This rapid deployment occurred after intelligence indicated that wounded patients admitted to the facility were at risk of being attacked. Forces also established patrols around the town, the WFP compound, and the highly sensitive airport area.
Beyond military deployment, UNMISS dispatched a civilian team spokesperson to coordinate engagements with state authorities, community leaders, and humanitarian agencies to support broader stabilization efforts.
According to a UNMISS security spokesperson, peacekeeping patrols are now operating 24/7. These day-and-night security teams are moving through the town and along its periphery to safeguard the movement of residents and ensure those who fled can safely return to their respective homes.
While the enhanced security presence provides immediate stability, officials note that sustaining long-term peace will require addressing the underlying intercommunal tensions and rebuilding the trust that was fractured during the deadly clashes.
