The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has appealed to humanitarian organizations and displaced civilians to resume operations and return to Akobo County in Jonglei State, asserting that security has stabilized following the recapture of the area from opposition forces.

In a statement issued on Saturday, March 21, 2026, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang announced that government troops had “re-established firm control” in Akobo and surrounding areas through intensified stabilization operations and community engagement.

He described the environment as now “conducive” for resettlement and aid delivery.

Koang specifically urged international and national NGOs, UN agencies, and aid groups to return “at the earliest time possible” to resume assistance for vulnerable populations.

He also encouraged displaced residents—who fled during recent fighting and the March 6 evacuation order—to return home and begin rebuilding, stating that “Akobo is safe and the surrounding areas are safe.”

The call follows the SSPDF’s recapture of Akobo town last week from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), which had held the strategic border area near Ethiopia since the civil war erupted in 2013.

Akobo was the last major SPLA-IO stronghold in the Lou Nuer regions after government forces seized positions in Nyirol and Uror counties earlier in 2026.

The initial 72-hour evacuation ultimatum on March 6—ordering civilians, humanitarian staff, and UNMISS peacekeepers to leave ahead of military operations—triggered a mass exodus, leaving much of Akobo deserted.

Many residents crossed into Ethiopia, with reports of looting in the town, including the market, hospital, and NGO compounds.

Humanitarian access in parts of South Sudan has faced repeated disruptions from insecurity and logistical issues, and aid groups have not yet publicly responded to the SSPDF’s latest appeal.

The timing coincides with the approaching rainy season, which typically worsens conditions and limits mobility in remote areas.

The SSPDF’s urging for return comes amid broader concerns over civilian protection, humanitarian access, and the fragile 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, with ongoing clashes in Jonglei and Upper Nile threatening stability.