Overview
- Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang confirmed an evacuation order for Akobo to enable offensive operations, saying the 72-hour window has lapsed and field commanders will decide next steps.
- Thousands of residents fled over the weekend, with local officials saying the town is nearly empty as many crossed into Ethiopia and reports of nearby gunfire grew.
- UNMISS says it has not complied with the closure order and is maintaining a peacekeeper presence in Akobo under its protection mandate.
- Doctors Without Borders evacuated on March 7, reported its hospital pharmacy and offices looted, and warned that hundreds of thousands are at imminent risk as basic healthcare collapses.
- The planned assault follows months of fighting in Jonglei that has displaced more than 280,000 people, with fresh violence reported elsewhere, including at least 169 people killed in Abiemnom according to local authorities.