The government of South Sudan has accused aircraft operating under contract to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) of smuggling natural resources and carrying undisclosed surveillance equipment, allegations it has described as a serious national security matter South Sudan News.
Foreign Minister Monday Semaya Kumba made the claims during a briefing for diplomats in Juba, stating that four aircraft linked to UNMISS had been grounded following intelligence findings by South Sudanese authorities.
According to Semaya, two of the aircraft were found to be equipped with Intelligence Surveillance Recorders and missile protection systems that were not disclosed to the government, while two others were allegedly used to smuggle sandalwood across the South Sudan–Sudan border.
The minister identified the aircraft by registration numbers UNO-570P and UNO-571P, which he said carried undisclosed surveillance equipment, and UNO-535P and UNO-536P, which he alleged were involved in cross-border resource smuggling.
He told diplomats that the findings were reported to senior UNMISS officials and that an independent government committee was established to investigate the matter. “The investigation committee has concluded its work, and the final report has been submitted to my office and the relevant authorities for further guidance and necessary decisions,” Semaya said.
The foreign minister emphasised that the allegations were directed at the specific aircraft operators and not the UN mission as an institution. “We are not pointing fingers at UNMISS,” he said. “These aircraft operate under contractual arrangements between operators and the United Nations.”
Semaya stressed that the issue was separate from UNMISS’s ongoing troop reduction and base closure programme, which he attributed to global funding challenges affecting peacekeeping operations.
The government said all other UN-contracted civilian aviation companies continue to operate without restriction and noted that UNMISS had already terminated its contract with a Rwandan military aviation company, a decision Juba said it did not oppose.
The allegations triggered pointed questions from diplomats. South Africa’s ambassador to South Sudan queried the public disclosure of sensitive intelligence and raised concerns about security implications of the UN drawdown as the country moves toward elections planned for December 2026.
In response, Semaya said the government was preparing its security forces and coordinating with regional partners to maintain stability during the election period. He defended the public briefing as a necessary response to frequent diplomatic inquiries and what he described as “external narratives.”
He also rejected claims that South Sudan was obstructing UNMISS operations, insisting that cooperation on troop rotations and base closures was proceeding as agreed.
The government said it would share the investigation findings with UNMISS once final decisions are taken and urged international partners to respect South Sudan’s sovereignty.
UNMISS could not immediately be reached for comment.
