The situation in South Sudan is deteriorating, with escalating tensions between the SPLM and SPLM-IO risking a slide back into civil war. Violent clashes and indiscriminate attacks on civilians have resulted in numerous casualties and significant displacement. Political instability is evident with officials being removed or detained, and calls for adherence to the Revitalized Peace Agreement are urgent. The UN and various organizations are actively promoting peace efforts amidst a looming humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
The security conditions in South Sudan have sharply declined amid escalating tensions between the major political factions, namely the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under First Vice President Riek Machar. This instability poses a significant threat of reverting to civil war in an already fragile state.
On March 4th, the youth militia known as the White Army overtook military barracks formerly held by South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF). In retaliation, aerial bombardments targeting civilian locales in the Upper Nile region were conducted using incendiary devices, causing numerous fatalities, critical injuries, and displacing approximately 100,000 individuals.
Concerns about escalating violence in the Upper Nile region are heightened by indications of further mobilization of armed groups, including reports of child recruitment by both the White Army and SSPDF. On March 24, clashes erupted in the capital Juba between SSPDF and forces aligned with SPLM-IO in areas to the city’s south and west, triggering fears of potential widespread conflict similar to that experienced during previous civil wars in 2013 and 2016.
Politically, several military and civilian officials from SPLM-IO have faced removal from their roles, detainment, or have gone into hiding. On March 26, First Vice President Riek Machar was reportedly placed under house arrest, escalating the political crisis. Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), expressed concerns, stating, “South Sudan is teetering on the edge of a relapse into civil war” and emphasized the urgency of adhering to the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
The United Nations, alongside international and regional partners, is striving to avert a catastrophic war that would devastate South Sudan and affect the surrounding region. Key organizations such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are collaborating to uphold the gains achieved since the peace agreement’s inception, conditional on the parties’ commitment to peaceful engagement.
UN Secretary General has issued a clarion call for South Sudan’s leaders: “Put down the weapons; put all the people of South Sudan first.” The appeal aims to facilitate a collective effort towards peace amid a backdrop of escalating violence and humanitarian needs.
Historically, South Sudan gained independence in 2011, but internal political discord led to civil war within two years. The devastating conflict resulted in significant ethnic violence, mass atrocities, and a humanitarian crisis, necessitating a peace agreement in 2018. Although optimism was briefly restored, implementation has stagnated, threatening the peace agreement’s viability and exacerbating humanitarian challenges, leaving over nine million people, approximately 75% of the population, in urgent need of assistance.
In conclusion, South Sudan faces a critical juncture with a resurgence of violence threatening its fragile peace. The urgent call for unity among leaders to prioritize peace and uphold the Revitalized Peace Agreement is paramount. Ongoing diplomatic efforts by the UN and other organizations are vital to prevent a return to civil conflict and address the dire humanitarian needs of the population. It is imperative for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue to secure a stable future for the nation.
Original Source: peacekeeping.un.org
