The IGAD warns that escalating violence in South Sudan, particularly clashes between President Kiir and Vice President Machar’s forces, is dangerously close to sparking renewed war, threatening the fragile peace established in 2018. Tensions have risen dramatically following a UN helicopter attack and the recent overrunning of a military base by the White Army militia. Despite government assurances of stability, international reactions indicate heightened concern over potential widespread violence.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has expressed grave concerns regarding escalating clashes in South Sudan, which threaten to plunge the nation into renewed conflict. The violence appears to be escalating between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, putting the fragile peace agreement that concluded a five-year civil war in jeopardy.
Recent weeks have seen heightened tensions, particularly following an attack on a United Nations helicopter that aimed to evacuate soldiers from northeast South Sudan. This incident resulted in the tragic loss of a UN crew member alongside a South Sudanese general.
IGAD pointed out a significant incident on March 4 in Nasir, where an estimated 6,000 members of the White Army, an ethnic Nuer militia allied with Machar, successfully overran a military base. Such events illustrate the increasing volatility in the region, although President Kiir maintains that the nation will not revert to warfare.
The regional bloc emphasized the precarious balance South Sudan holds between potential peace and impending conflict, urging all involved parties to reduce hostilities. In response, the South Sudanese government has minimized these concerns, asserting that the situation remains stable and declaring the country as “open and safe for visitors, investors, and development partners.”
Meanwhile, the United States has taken steps to ensure safety by ordering non-emergency staff to evacuate amid ongoing hostilities. Additionally, Uganda has sent special forces to the South Sudanese capital, Juba; however, local officials have denied this deployment’s existence. As fears of widespread violence persist, both regional and international stakeholders are closely monitoring South Sudan’s situation.
In conclusion, escalating clashes in South Sudan have prompted warnings from IGAD regarding the potential for renewed conflict, jeopardizing the fragile peace established after years of civil war. The recent violence underscores rising tensions, notably highlighted by the attack on a UN helicopter and the actions of the White Army militia. While the South Sudanese government attempts to assure calm, international responses indicate a serious level of concern over the country’s stability. Continued vigilance from both regional and global actors is essential as the situation develops.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
