UN Cuts South Sudan Peacekeeping Troops, Tensions Rise

0:00UN Security Council just cut the peacekeeping troops in South Sudan from 17,000 down to 12,000. That U.S. draft a resolution passed 13-0, with Russia and China abstaining. It stretches the mission's mandate all the way to April 30, 2027, aiming to stop another civil war in this young nation. U.S. Ambassador Mike Walts laid it out clear, time to get back to basics, protecting civilians, holding the peace, and clearing paths for humanitarian. 8. South Sudan struck oil-rich independence from Sudan back in 2011, but dreams crashed quick into ethnic clashes. Civil war exploded in 2013, when President Salva Kier's Dinka loyalists fought re-ech Bashar's newer forces. Over 400,000 lies lost before a fragile 2018 peace deal formed a unity government. Now Bashar's underhouse arrests since March 2025 hit with treason charges as violent surges and the deal crumbles. Walts slammed Kier's crew for exporting UN help while blocking access.

1:03480 incidents from October to March shut down bases, stalled. Flights and burned millions in wasted aid. Russia pushed to keep troop numbers high, saying the force needs full muscle for whatever threats pop up. Things loomed in December, so this leaner mission better hold the line against chaos. Stay tuned as tensions simmer in South Sudan. This has been Canada News Today, powered by AI, I'm Corey with The Story.