The UN warns that South Sudan is experiencing alarming regression due to recent violence threatening its fragile power-sharing agreement. Clashes between allied forces of President Kiir and Vice President Machar have escalated, leading to UN rescue operation casualties. The commission urges a renewed focus on peace and human rights to prevent a return to war and protect the nation’s progress.
In a recent statement, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan declared the nation to be in a state of “alarming regression” due to escalating violence, particularly in the northeast. This resurgence of conflict threatens to reverse the progress toward peace achieved in recent years. The fragile power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar is in jeopardy as clashes have erupted among their allied forces in Upper Nile State.
On Friday, a UN helicopter was attacked while conducting a rescue operation for soldiers in Upper Nile, resulting in the death of a crew member and injuries to two others. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported that an army general also perished during this operation, shaking the already vulnerable nation that has struggled with persistent political instability and violence.
In response to the situation, President Kiir called for calm and assured citizens that there would be no return to war. Yasmin Sooka, the chair of the UN commission, emphasized that South Sudan is facing an alarming regression, which threatens to erase significant hard-won achievements in peace. She urged leaders to divert their focus from division toward reinforcing the peace process and safeguarding human rights in order to facilitate a transition to democracy.
South Sudan, recognized as the world’s youngest country, emerged from a five-year civil war in 2018 through a power-sharing deal between Kiir and Machar. However, tensions remain as Kiir’s allies allege that Machar’s forces are inciting unrest, particularly in Nasir County, with the involvement of the White Army, a group of armed youths from the Nuer ethnic community, which is associated with the vice president.
Commissioner Barney Afako pointed out the current situation reflects a return to the extreme power struggles that have historically devastated South Sudan. He highlighted the continuing environment of atrocities, human rights violations, and economic mismanagement, emphasizing that the South Sudanese people deserve peace, not another cycle of conflict.
The UN has raised grave concerns regarding the escalating violence in South Sudan, emphasizing the potential undoing of recent peace progress. Leaders are called upon to prioritize the peace process and protect human rights, ensuring stability and a transition toward democracy. The nation, having previously endured significant conflicts, must strive to avoid a return to violence and prioritize the welfare of its citizens.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
