The UN has warned that South Sudan is experiencing significant regression due to recent clashes that threaten to undo peace progress. The power-sharing agreement is at risk, with calls for urgent focus on human rights and the peace process. The situation has drawn international concern, highlighting the need for an immediate end to hostilities.
The United Nations has issued a warning regarding South Sudan’s “alarming regression” following recent clashes in the northeast that threaten to reverse years of progress toward peace. The fragile power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar is at risk due to clashes involving allied forces in Upper Nile State.
On Friday, a United Nations helicopter was attacked while attempting to rescue soldiers in the region, resulting in the death of one crew member and injuries to two others. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported that an army general was also killed during this operation, heightening fears in the nation long burdened by political instability and violence.
President Kiir called for calm on Friday, insisting there would be no return to war. Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the UN Commission, emphasized that South Sudan is experiencing an “alarming regression” undermining years of hard-won progress. She urged leaders to prioritize peace, uphold human rights, and ensure a seamless transition to democracy.
Having ended a five-year civil war in 2018 with a power-sharing agreement, South Sudan remains fraught with tensions. Kiir’s allies have accused Machar’s forces of instigating unrest in Nasir County with the assistance of the White Army, a group of armed youths from the same ethnic Nuer community.
Commissioner Barney Afako warned that the country is regressing to the reckless power struggles that have caused devastation before, noting that South Sudanese have suffered numerous atrocities and rights violations, alongside worsening security and economic mismanagement. He declared that the citizens deserve peace instead of a continuation of war.
The African Union also voiced its concerns, condemning the recent violence and calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities as the situation in South Sudan remains tenuous.
In conclusion, South Sudan faces critical challenges as renewed clashes threaten both peace and the stability established since the 2018 power-sharing agreement. The urgency for leadership to prioritize human rights and the peace process is paramount. The involvement of international entities, such as the UN and African Union, underlines the significance of resolving the ongoing violent escalation to restore tranquility to this young nation.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
