UN lauds efforts by Indian peacekeepers in opening key corridor in South Sudan

United Nations: The UN has lauded efforts by Indian peacekeepers deployed in South Sudan to re-open a critical supply route impacted by floods last year, emphasising the “vital role” played by peacekeeping missions in assisting local communities.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said amid these difficult times, there are some hopeful developments to in South Sudan. "Our Peacekeeping Mission there (UNMISS) reports that in Upper Nile State, Indian peacekeepers from the Engineering Unit have successfully reopened a key section of the Malakal–Renk main supply route, which had been closed since last year’s floods,” he said at the daily press briefing here Thursday.

He said the new road alignment, which entailed reclaiming land from floodwaters to restore the road, will provide safer access, significantly improving mobility in the area and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need in local communities.

“These efforts also underscore the vital role that the Peacekeeping Mission plays in supporting stability and enabling critical assistance to reach vulnerable civilians in some of the most challenging environments.” Dujarric said.

In a post on X, UNMISS said the Indian peacekeepers reopened the key Malakal-Renk main supply route via New Paloich, which had been closed since last year's floods. A new road alignment through Akoka-Kilo 20-Paloich-Renk now provides safe access, enhancing mobility and humanitarian efforts in the region, the UNMISS noted.

According to estimates by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, flooding in South Sudan last year had affected 1.35 million people across eight states, displacing nearly 375,600 people.

As of January 2026, India was the top troop contributing country to UNMISS with 1,779 personnel deployed with the peacekeeping mission.