The UN has warned of “alarming regression” in South Sudan due to recent northeast clashes that threaten peace progress. The fragile power-sharing agreement between President Kiir and Vice President Machar is at risk. A recent helicopter attack resulted in fatalities, prompting Kiir to call for calm, while the UN commission emphasizes the need for renewed focus on peace and human rights protections for citizens.
The United Nations has issued a grave warning regarding South Sudan, characterizing the country as experiencing “alarming regression” due to recent clashes in the northeast that threaten to reverse progress made towards peace. This precarious situation arises amidst a fragile power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, jeopardized by skirmishes involving their aligned factions in Upper Nile State.
On Friday, a UN helicopter involved in a rescue operation was attacked, resulting in the death of one crew member and injuries to two others. Additionally, a general was killed during this failed mission, highlighting the ongoing instability and violence in a nation that has long struggled with political turmoil.
In light of these developments, President Kiir has called for calm and emphasized his commitment to maintaining peace. Concurrently, Yasmin Sooka, chair of the UN commission on human rights, stated that South Sudan is “witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress.”
Sooka further urged leaders to prioritize the peace process and to respect the human rights of their citizens in order to facilitate a seamless transition to democracy. Since the conclusion of a five-year civil war in 2018, marked by a power-sharing agreement between the two leaders, the country has remained tense.
Accusations from Kiir’s supporters claim that Machar’s forces are exacerbating tensions in Nasir County, colluding with the White Army, a militia composed of local youth from the Nuer ethnic group. Commissioner Barney Afako articulated concerns about a return to hazardous power struggles, stating that the South Sudanese population has suffered greatly from “atrocities, rights violations, economic mismanagement, and worsening security,” deserving peace rather than renewed conflict.
In conclusion, the situation in South Sudan reflects significant regression towards instability, threatening hard-earned peace achievements. The ongoing power struggles between President Kiir and Vice President Machar, alongside recent violent incidents, underscore the urgent need for a renewed commitment to the peace process and the protection of human rights. The international community’s attention may be pivotal in averting further conflict and fostering a transition to democratic governance.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
