UN mission in South Sudan faces 15% budget cut amid rising violence

October 17, 2025 (JUBA) – The United Nations peacekeeping chief, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, met with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to discuss escalating political violence and the impact of a significant 15% budget cut to the UN mission in the country, a spokesperson said on Friday.

Lacroix, who just concluded his visit to South Sudan, focused his discussions with Kiir, senior ministers, and the diplomatic community on the progress needed to achieve peace, according to a briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General.

A central point of the talks was the UN-wide financial crisis, which will force the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to slash its spending this fiscal year. Lacroix requested the support of the South Sudanese authorities to help mitigate the impact of the liquidity crisis on the mission’s operations.

Despite the financial challenges, Lacroix reiterated that UNMISS will continue its efforts to protect civilians and support the implementation of the peace agreement.

During his regional tour, the peacekeeping chief also visited the contested Abyei area, where he discussed the security situation and the effect of the financial cuts on the separate UN peacekeeping operation there.