Workneh Gebeyehu, the IGAD Executive Secretary, calls for restraint in South Sudan amidst escalating tensions in Nasir County, stressing the importance of dialogue to preserve the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict. IGAD plans to send a delegation to engage with the government for peace restoration and implementation of the peace agreement.
Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has emphasized the necessity for restraint and dialogue to alleviate the rising tensions in South Sudan. He has expressed significant concern regarding the conflict and violence occurring in Nasir County, which poses risks to the progress achieved under the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), jeopardizing national peace.
Gebeyehu urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and uphold their commitments to the R-ARCSS. He advocates for dialogue and reconciliation as essential elements in achieving lasting peace, underscoring the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring regional stability.
In light of the ongoing concern, IGAD has decided to send a high-level delegation to South Sudan to evaluate the situation and collaborate with the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity to implement measures aimed at restoring calm and advancing the peace initiative.
Clashes have been reported since mid-February between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and local armed groups in Nasir County, exacerbated by the government’s plans for a new troop deployment. Consequently, over 20 fatalities and numerous injuries have been documented on the outskirts of Nasir, a town situated near the South Sudan-Ethiopia border.
In summary, IGAD’s Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, has extended a call for restraint and dialogue in light of the escalating tensions in South Sudan. His statement highlights the risks posed to the peace process under the R-ARCSS and underscores the importance of cooperation among all parties to ensure civilians’ safety and regional stability. The planned IGAD delegation aims to assess and positively influence the ongoing situation in South Sudan, affirming the authority’s commitment to peace implementation.
Original Source: ommcomnews.com
