In South Sudan, the fragile 2018 peace accord faces heightened strains due to political turbulence and military activity. Recent incidents, including a militia attack, raise fears of renewed civil war and have prompted calls for urgent intervention. The crisis threatens to destabilize the region further, with significant humanitarian repercussions.
Tensions are escalating in South Sudan as the fragile peace accord from 2018 faces significant strain. The ongoing political and military discord between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar raises apprehensions about the possibility of a renewed civil war. Recent cabinet reshuffles, coupled with the arrests of senior officials in Juba and heightened militia activity in Upper Nile State, intensify these concerns.
A pivotal event in this crisis transpired on March 4 with an attack on a South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) base in Nasir, a crucial border town near Ethiopia. This assault was conducted by the White Army, a militia connected to Machar, in response to disputed plans to alter the composition of the SSPDF, incorporating the Agwelek and Abushok militias. This incident signals a dangerous escalation after a devastating five-year civil war that left nearly 400,000 dead.
In an effort to alleviate the tensions, President Kiir assured on March 7 that the nation “would not revert to war.” However, his assurances have not assuaged the growing anxieties within Juba or among other regional stakeholders. Solomon Dersso, founder of Ethiopian think tank Amani Africa, emphasized the urgency for high-level intervention, stating that the crisis threatens to dismantle the already precarious 2018 peace agreement.
The African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) is currently addressing this crisis during its 1265th session, placing South Sudan’s turmoil at the forefront. Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, remarked about the Nasir clashes as the latest in a series of cyclical violent incidents that could push South Sudan closer to war. Furthermore, there are credible reports of Uganda deploying special forces to Juba, a move that the South Sudanese government initially denied, reflecting regional unease regarding the nation’s stability.
With the international community closely monitoring the situation, the potential collapse of the South Sudanese peace deal could have far-reaching effects. Renewed conflict would not only exacerbate humanitarian crises but would also further destabilize an already volatile region, overwhelming neighboring states and international organizations in their efforts to respond to the crisis.
The situation in South Sudan remains critical as political and military tensions rise between key leaders. The recent escalation in violence and complex regional dynamics underscore the urgent need for intervention to uphold the fragile peace agreement. Failure to do so could result in renewed conflict, with severe humanitarian and regional consequences. The international community’s vigilant engagement is essential to forge pathways toward peace.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
