BENTIU – The chairman of the Unity State Bentiu Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp has appealed to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to urgently deploy troops to protect civilians following intensified clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO).
In a formal statement dated January 4, 2026, the Community High Committee of Unity State warned that escalating violence in Korjams, Tor, and surrounding areas is advancing toward populated civilian locations, including the Bentiu IDP camp, which hosts thousands of displaced people.
The chairman, Hon. John Mading Kech, said the security situation is “dire” and expressed fears that without immediate intervention, the camp could be overrun by armed groups, resulting in large-scale civilian casualties.
“The Bentiu IDP camp is currently vulnerable to attack and has no adequate protection,” the statement read. “If the violence reaches the camp, it will be catastrophic, resulting in the killing of innocent civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.”
According to the Community High Committee, reports of intense fighting have already caused widespread displacement and fear among civilians across Unity State. The committee warned that the humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating and could spiral into a crisis of “epic proportions” if violence is not contained.
The statement urged UNMISS to use its mandate to protect civilians by deploying troops to the Bentiu IDP camp and its surrounding areas, conducting regular patrols, and increasing its overall presence in Unity State to deter attacks by armed groups.
“We believe that UNMISS has a critical role to play in preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in Bentiu and Unity State,” the statement said, calling for immediate action to prevent further loss of life.
The Bentiu IDP camp is one of the largest displacement sites in South Sudan, sheltering civilians who fled previous cycles of conflict in the oil-rich Unity State. UNMISS has previously maintained a presence in the area, but community leaders say the current security situation requires urgent reinforcement.
As of the time of publication, UNMISS had not issued an official response to the appeal