Tensions in South Sudan are escalating, putting the 2018 peace accord at imminent risk. Recent attacks by militia groups and political conflicts between President Kiir and Vice President Machar could lead to renewed civil war. International organizations are warning against this possible outcome amid growing regional instability.
In South Sudan, tensions are escalating, putting the fragile 2018 peace accord at risk. Recent cabinet reshuffles, arrests of senior officials in Juba, and renewed militia activities in Upper Nile State are raising concerns of a possible return to civil war. President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar are embroiled in deepening political and military disputes.
At the core of the latest crisis is a March 4 assault on a South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) base in Nasir conducted by the White Army militia, which is connected to Machar. This attack was exacerbated by disputes over plans to integrate the SSPDF with Agwelek and Abushok militias. This incident underscores the precarious situation in a nation that experienced a devastating civil war resulting in nearly 400,000 casualties.
President Kiir sought to diffuse the situation, stating on March 7 that the country would “not revert to war.” However, concerns in Juba and among international observers have only increased following his remarks. Solomon Dersso of Amani Africa stressed the escalating dangers, stating that the situation threatens to unravel the already fragile peace agreement and called for urgent intervention.
The African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) is currently addressing the crisis at its 1265th session. Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, cautioned that the recent clashes in Nasir are part of a continual cycle of violence pushing South Sudan toward potential war.
Furthermore, reports of Uganda deploying special forces in Juba, which the South Sudanese government has denied, indicate regional anxieties regarding the country’s stability. The international community remains vigilant, knowing that the breakdown of the peace deal would have significant regional consequences, amplifying humanitarian needs and destabilizing neighboring states.
The situation in South Sudan presents a critical juncture with the 2018 peace accord facing severe challenges. Escalating violence, political turmoil, and regional concerns are placing the nation on the brink of renewed conflict. International attention and urgent intervention are necessary to mitigate the risk of a resurgence of civil war, which would have catastrophic implications for South Sudan and the surrounding region.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
