IGAD has warned that escalating clashes in South Sudan could lead to renewed war, jeopardizing the 2018 peace deal. Recent violence, particularly involving the White Army militia, heightens instability, despite government assurances of safety. Precautionary measures are being taken by the U.S. and other nations in response to the ongoing conflict.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African regional organization, has expressed grave concerns regarding escalating violence in South Sudan, which risks reigniting war. The recent clashes between loyalists of President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar threaten the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement that ended a prolonged civil conflict.
Heightened tensions have emerged following an attack on a United Nations helicopter aiming to evacuate personnel from the northeast, resulting in both a South Sudanese general and a UN crew member’s deaths. Such incidents indicate a deteriorating security situation, prompting IGAD to highlight that South Sudan is “balanced precariously between the promise of peace and the peril of conflict.”
Despite President Kiir’s commitment to maintaining stability, IGAD referred to a significant attack on March 4 in Nasir, where an estimated 6,000 members of the White Army, an ethnic Nuer militia allied with Machar, overtook a military facility. The regional bloc has urged all involved parties to cease hostilities to prevent further violence.
In contrast, the South Sudanese government asserted that the situation remains secure, emphasizing its openness to visitors and potential investors. The country’s foreign ministry described the climate as calm, despite rising tensions. Meanwhile, the United States has decided to withdraw non-emergency personnel from South Sudan, citing ongoing armed conflicts, and Uganda has deployed special forces to Juba, although South Sudanese authorities have refuted their presence.
The recent clashes in South Sudan represent a significant threat to the peace established after its civil war, as highlighted by IGAD’s warnings. The internal conflict, particularly involving the White Army militia, could potentially escalate to renewed hostilities. While the South Sudanese government maintains that calm prevails, international responses indicate a growing concern over regional stability. Continuous monitoring by both regional and global entities remains critical as the situation evolves.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
