Nicholas Haysom, the UN envoy in South Sudan, has urged parties to embrace dialogue and prevent a relapse into civil war. He emphasized the importance of the Revitalized Agreement and called for immediate actions to de-escalate tensions and ensure the region does not experience further conflict. The envoy highlighted the arrests of officials and the detrimental effects of hate speech, advocating for constructive interactions between political leaders.
The United Nations human rights envoy in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, has urged local parties to prevent a return to armed conflict. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the comprehensive peace agreement and progressing towards the nation’s first democratic elections. Haysom expressed that South Sudan is at risk of sliding back into civil war, jeopardizing the peace achieved since the Revitalized Agreement was signed in 2018.
During a virtual briefing to the African Union Peace and Security Council, Haysom asserted that the parties involved must act to decrease political tensions urgently. He highlighted that the only sustainable solution lies within the framework of the Revitalized Agreement. As the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), he indicated that the peace processes are crucial and are nearing collapse due to ongoing hostilities.
Haysom remarked that the region cannot endure another conflict, citing heightened tensions throughout South Sudan following an incident involving the White Army militia. Additionally, he reported arrests of key officials from the SPLM/A-IO and emphasized the dangers posed by misinformation and hate speech, which may escalate the conflict into ethnic violence.
While acknowledging President Salva Kiir’s assurances that war would not return, Haysom stressed the necessity for all parties to commit to and implement the Revitalized Agreement fully. He urged the African Union Security Council to facilitate constructive dialogue between Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, promoting unity and addressing outstanding issues collaboratively.
Haysom called for the release of detained officials and advocated for resolving tensions in Nasir through dialogue rather than military means. He underscored the crucial need for intense dialogue to address grievances and restore mutual trust among the involved factions.
The UN envoy has stressed the need for South Sudanese parties to prioritize dialogue and adherence to the peace agreement to prevent conflict resumption. With rising tensions and public unrest, it is vital for leaders to engage in constructive discussions and tackle their grievances. The restoration of peace and progression towards democratic governance hinges on mutual cooperation and implementation of the Revitalized Agreement.
Original Source: english.news.cn
