Clashes in South Sudan have displaced at least 50,000 individuals due to violence between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The unrest has resulted in health crises, with reports of cholera outbreaks, and threatens a fragile peace deal established in 2018. The U.N. urges humanitarian access to affected populations, particularly vulnerable groups.
Since February, clashes in South Sudan have resulted in the displacement of at least 50,000 individuals, as reported by a United Nations agency. The violence primarily occurs between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, posing a serious threat to an already fragile peace-sharing agreement.
Anita Kiki Gbeho from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted that the ongoing violence exacerbates the vulnerabilities of local communities and has led to the suspension of essential life-saving services. The situation escalated when an airstrike by the South Sudanese government on March 17 resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people, including children.
OCHA noted that approximately 10,000 of the displaced individuals have sought refuge in Ethiopia, and the region has seen the evacuation of 23 humanitarian workers. Moreover, a cholera treatment unit in Nasir has been closed down due to the violence, heightening public health concerns. Gbeho emphasized the necessity for all parties to support humanitarian access to those in dire need, particularly the vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly.
Recent reports from Doctors Without Borders indicated 1,300 cholera cases in Akobo County, reflecting the deteriorating health situation in the region. The current fighting threatens the peace deal established in 2018 between Kiir and Machar, amidst historical conflict that claimed around 400,000 lives. Kiir’s supporters allege that Machar’s forces are inciting unrest with assistance from the White Army, an armed youth faction from Machar’s Nuer ethnic community.
Tensions surged earlier this month as approximately 6,000 White Army combatants attacked a military encampment in Nasir. An attempted rescue operation by the United Nations tragically resulted in the deaths of a U.N. helicopter pilot and a senior South Sudanese general, among others.
The recent clashes in South Sudan have led to significant displacement and health crises, jeopardizing an already fragile peace agreement. The situation underscores the urgent need for humanitarian access and intervention to support vulnerable populations amid escalating violence between political factions.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
