The IGAD Heads of State will meet today to address the crisis in South Sudan amid rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar. The summit, chaired by the President of Djibouti, aims to promote dialogue and peace, amidst ongoing armed conflicts and recent hostilities in the region.
The Heads of State from the eight member nations of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will convene today to discuss the escalating civil war in South Sudan. This important 43rd extraordinary summit is being convened by President Israel Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, the current chairman of IGAD. The primary focus will be on the critical situation in South Sudan, where tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar, leader of an armed opposition, are heightening.
The IGAD secretariat confirmed that the summit is aimed at addressing the evolving circumstances in South Sudan. The gathering will take place virtually on Wednesday, 12th March 2025, and will feature notable leaders, including Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, William Ruto of Kenya, Abdel Fattah al-Bruhan of Sudan, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud of Somalia, Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia.
IGAD has assumed a crucial role as the guarantor of the fragile peace agreement established in 2018. A statement from IGAD emphasized its commitment to promote dialogue, de-escalate tensions, and work towards securing a peaceful future for the people of South Sudan. Previously, the bloc facilitated the first peace agreement in 2015, following a prolonged civil war that began in December 2013.
The initial peace accord, however, failed after one year, leading to renewed conflict in 2016. In 2018, the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan was signed, yet the current situation remains precarious, with the potential for a full-scale war loom due to recent unrest in Juba and Nasir.
The U.S. Department of State has reported that armed conflicts persist, involving various political and ethnic factions, with widespread availability of weapons among the population. Additionally, incidents of cattle raids are prevalent, often resulting in violence. Furthermore, significant military arrest has occurred, including the detention of Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, the Deputy Chief of Defense Forces and army chief under Dr. Riek Machar, along with Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang.
In conclusion, the upcoming IGAD summit is crucial for addressing the escalating crisis in South Sudan, particularly the brewing conflict between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar. With IGAD’s role as a peace guarantor, the leaders’ discussions will focus on de-escalating tensions and fostering dialogue. However, the existing armed conflict and recent violent incidents highlight the fragility of the situation, necessitating immediate and effective intervention from regional leaders.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
