FACT-CHECK: UNMISS didn’t declare they will stay in Akobo “whether or not the government likes it”

A recent post circulating on Facebook (archived) shared by a page called “Bieh Radio FM” alleges that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has rejected a government’s demand for their withdrawal from Akobo, but this claim is false.

The post, which was published on the 7th March 2026, gained significant traction, receiving over 899 reactions, 130 comments and 13 shares at the time of publishing this article.

“The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has defiantly rejected the failed government’s demand for their withdrawal,” the Facebook post falsely claimed.

Debunking the Claim:

A keyword search on Google for “UNMISS rejects government’s demand for their withdrawal in Akobo” shows there was no mention or use of the phrases “illegal government” and “whether the government likes it or not”  by UNMISS.

However, the mission promised to remain in Akobo despite the SSPDF 72-hour ultimatum on 6 March, 2026, ordering UN personnel, humanitarian groups, and civilians to leave the area ahead of a planned “Phase Two” of their military offensive, known as “Operation Enduring”, reported by Radio Tamazuj. 

In its official press release posted on its X account as well as its website, UNMISS called on all stakeholders to uphold civilian protection in Akobo and reiterated that the safety and security of its personnel, premises, and assets must be fully respected at all times.

“Any military operations in and around Akobo gravely endanger the safety and security of civilians,” said Anita Kiki Gbeho, Officer-in-Charge, UNMISS. 

“Therefore, we rely on the assurances provided by all parties that they will take every possible measure to protect communities.”

Radio Tamazuj, a reliable news website on 10 March published an article with the headline “UN peacekeepers to remain in Akobo despite evacuation order”

UNMISS posted a press release on 9 March on its website, which was shared across different platforms.

Other sources that published this report include Eye Radio  and City Review. 

Our Verdict:

The ClarityDesk has found the claim making rounds that the UNMISS refused to leave Akobo, whether the government likes it or not, to be false. The UNMISS requested the government to reverse their order and called for other humanitarian organisations to keep providing services.

This article is published by The ClarityDesk through the Young Journalists Media Integrity Fellowship, with the support of the Election Civic Tech Fund of AfricTivistes, within the AHEAD Africa and Digitalise Youth projects, led by the Digital Democracy Initiative.

Have you spotted an error in this article and would like to request a correction, or have you come across a claim that we should investigate? Please send us an email via editor@claritydesk.org or click here to WhatsApp us via +211 928 606 958.

About The ClarityDesk

The ClarityDesk is a media integrity project based in South Sudan dedicated to promoting truth, transparency, and accountability. Working at the intersection of fact-checking, solutions and data journalism, we verify claims, debunk misinformation, and equip the public with tools to critically evaluate information. Our work is guided by accuracy, independence, and the public interest..