Michael Makuei Lueth, South Sudan’s information minister, has claimed stability despite reports indicating a deteriorating situation. The U.N. highlights rising tensions and risks following a helicopter attack. The Ugandan military’s involvement and U.S. travel advisories signal a critical crisis, further compounded by acts of militia violence. The International Crisis Group warns of potential renewed civil war in the region.
Michael Makuei Lueth, the South Sudanese Minister of Information, has dismissed concerns regarding instability in the country, claiming that fears are largely based on rumors and social media. However, this assertion has been contradicted by numerous events and assessments that indicate a significant deterioration of the situation in South Sudan.
The United Nations reports that tensions have escalated due to ongoing internal conflicts, particularly between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The U.N. has drawn attention to the fragile state of the 2018 peace agreement that concluded South Sudan’s civil war, noting ongoing clashes in regions like Upper Nile and Nasir.
On March 7, a U.N. helicopter, which was evacuating South Sudanese troops, was attacked, resulting in casualties among U.N. personnel and several South Sudanese soldiers, including a senior general. This incident underscores the violence and danger faced by those operating in South Sudan.
In response to increasing instability, the Ugandan military has sent special forces to assist the South Sudanese government in securing the capital, Juba. The involvement of foreign troops is indicative of a critical situation.
On March 4, the “White Army” militia associated with Machar’s faction took over an army base in Nasir, killing soldiers and asserting control over the city. This event illustrates a surge in militia activity, heightening concerns of a potential revival of civil war. The political landscape is also fraught with tension, as numerous generals linked to Machar have been arrested.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for South Sudan, highlighting a “greater risk of life-threatening danger.” U.S. citizens are advised against traveling to the region, and nonessential personnel have been ordered to evacuate the country due to armed conflict.
The Brussels-based International Crisis Group has stated, “Tensions are running dangerously high in South Sudan,” noting the risk of renewed civil war, particularly with the White Army controlling strategic locations. They warn that conflict could extend beyond Upper Nile into neighboring regions, including Sudan. The civil war that spanned from 2013 to 2018 resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities.
In summary, Lueth’s assertion that there are no fears regarding the situation in South Sudan is unfounded. Independent analyses reveal a rapidly deteriorating landscape filled with escalating violence and political instability, suggesting a looming civil conflict. The deployment of Ugandan special forces, together with the U.S. travel advisory, highlights the severity of the crisis in South Sudan.
In conclusion, Michael Makuei Lueth’s claims about stability in South Sudan are contradicted by independent reports and assessments that indicate significant insecurity and rising violence. The ongoing militia activities, regional military involvement, and the U.S. travel advisory all emphasize the critical state of affairs, reinforcing the possibility of renewed civil conflict in the country, which has already suffered immense loss during its past civil wars.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
