Clashes in South Sudan have displaced 50,000 people since February, as tensions rise between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Western nations have offered to mediate amid concerns over humanitarian crises and potential civil war. The ongoing violence undermines a fragile peace agreement established in 2018.
Between February and now, clashes in South Sudan have displaced at least 50,000 individuals, prompting Western nations, including the United States and the European Union, to offer mediation to prevent a further decline into civil war. Increasing tensions stem from confrontations in the Upper Nile State involving forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, jeopardizing a fragile peace-sharing agreement.
In recent weeks, over 20 associates of Riek Machar have been detained, including senior officials within the government and military. Anita Kiki Gbeho from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted the situation’s severity, noting that “the violence is putting already vulnerable communities at greater risk and forcing the suspension of life-saving services.”
On Monday, an airstrike conducted by the government in Nasir County resulted in at least 20 fatalities, including children. Additionally, OCHA reported that approximately 10,000 displaced individuals have migrated to Ethiopia. The humanitarian crisis intensified further when 23 aid workers were evacuated, and a cholera treatment facility in Nasir was shut down.
Nick Haysom, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), warned that the nation stands “poised on the brink of relapse into civil war,” which could destroy several years of peace efforts. He emphasized the urgency of de-escalating tensions, citing Sudan as a stark reminder of how swiftly a nation can plunge into conflict.
The ongoing fighting poses a risk to the peace agreement made in 2018 between Kiir and Machar after a civil war that claimed roughly 400,000 lives. Kiir’s supporters accuse Machar’s faction of collaborating with the White Army, an armed group from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group, leading to a spike in tensions after around 6,000 combatants overwhelmed a military camp. A UN rescue attempt tragically resulted in the death of a UN crew member and a senior general.
The Western embassies’ statement expressed concern for the displaced individuals, noting that survivors of the recent attacks continue to be unable to return to secure locations.
The situation in South Sudan remains precarious, with recent clashes leading to significant displacement and humanitarian crises. Western nations have stepped forward to facilitate dialogue to avert a potential relapse into civil war, emphasizing the importance of resolving tensions swiftly. Continued violence not only threatens the stability of the region but also the progress made towards peace since the previous civil war.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
