In a press statement issued on Friday, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said government forces have re-established “firm control” over Akobo and surrounding areas after weeks of fighting that displaced civilians and forced aid agencies to suspend operations.
“With the national army having re-established firm control in Akobo and the surrounding areas, SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Dr Paul Nang Majok, once again renews calls for all humanitarian organisations to reconsider returning to Akobo at the earliest time possible,” Lul said.
The latest appeal comes two weeks after a controversial directive issued on March 6, in which the SSPDF ordered United Nations peacekeepers, humanitarian agencies, and civilians to leave Akobo town within 72 hours.
The order was issued as the military prepared to launch a new phase of operations targeting areas under the control of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO).
That directive sparked widespread condemnation from diplomatic missions and humanitarian actors, who warned it would expose civilians to greater risk and disrupt life-saving assistance.
The evacuation order triggered mass displacement, with thousands of residents fleeing toward neighbouring Ethiopia and safer parts of Jonglei and Upper Nile states. The withdrawal of aid agencies also led to the suspension of critical services, including healthcare and food distribution.
In Friday’s statement, however, the SSPDF said the situation has since stabilised, with intensified security operations and engagement with local community leaders helping to restore calm and rebuild public confidence.
“All civilians are, once again, requested to return home to rebuild their lives,” Lul said.
The army also praised its forces for maintaining discipline and high morale during the operations, describing the mission as successful in restoring government control.
Despite these assurances, humanitarian organisations are expected to proceed cautiously before resuming operations in Akobo, citing the recent volatility, ongoing insecurity risks, and the scale of displacement.
Akobo County has been among the hardest-hit areas in Jonglei State in recent weeks. The disruption of aid services has raised serious concerns over access to food, healthcare, and protection for vulnerable populations, particularly as the rainy season approaches—a period that typically worsens humanitarian access.
This week, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) reported that the evacuation order triggered a mass exodus of civilians from Akobo County in Jonglei State, with an estimated 100,000 people fleeing into neighbouring Ethiopia.
Across Jonglei, the UN agency reported, at least 28 health and nutrition facilities have been destroyed, looted, or forced to suspend operations since January, leaving thousands without access to life-saving care.
