Clashes in South Sudan have displaced at least 50,000 people since February due to fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The violence has raised humanitarian concerns and jeopardizes the 2018 peace deal. Recent reports indicate cholera cases and ongoing struggles for access to affected communities.
Recent clashes in South Sudan have led to the displacement of at least 50,000 individuals since February, as reported by a United Nations agency. The conflict, primarily between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar in northwest regions, is jeopardizing the precarious peace-sharing agreement established previously.
In Upper Nile State’s Nasir County, tensions have escalated, raising concerns over the safety of vulnerable communities. Anita Kiki Gbeho from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) remarked on the adverse effects of violence, stating that it endangers already at-risk populations and is contributing to the suspension of essential services.
Notably, on March 17, an airstrike conducted by the South Sudanese government in Nasir County resulted in at least 20 fatalities, including children, according to area commissioner James Gatluak. Approximately 10,000 displaced persons have sought refuge in Ethiopia, with 23 humanitarian workers also compelled to evacuate the region.
Additionally, OCHA emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian access to affected populations, especially women, children, and the elderly. Recent data from Doctors Without Borders indicated that Akobo County has reported 1,300 cases of cholera, further complicating an already dire situation.
The ongoing clashes pose a significant threat to the 2018 peace agreement between Kiir and Machar, which ended a devastating five-year civil war that claimed around 400,000 lives. Allegations have surfaced, with Kiir’s supporters claiming that Machar’s forces are collaborating with the White Army, a group of armed youths from his Nuer ethnic community. Tensions have escalated following an attack by approximately 6,000 White Army combatants on a military camp.
The conflict has also escalated to deadly incidents involving the United Nations, including the tragic loss of a UN helicopter pilot and a senior South Sudanese general during a rescue operation.
The ongoing violence in South Sudan has severely exacerbated humanitarian crises, resulting in the mass displacement of people and increased risks to vulnerable communities. The escalation of hostilities threatens the fragile peace established by a previous agreement, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian access and intervention. Continued conflict raises concerns about public health issues, such as cholera outbreaks, further complicating the plight of the displaced population.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
