Nicholas Haysom of the UN warns that South Sudan is precariously close to civil war, requiring urgent intervention. Following recent military tensions and escalated ethnic divisions, he emphasizes the need for consensus-based decision-making and dialogue to prevent conflict and implement the revitalized peace agreement, aiming for the country’s first democratic elections.
The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) recently received a warning from Nicholas Haysom, head of the United Nations (UN) mission in South Sudan, regarding the critical state of the nation. South Sudan is reportedly “on the brink of relapse into civil war,” necessitating immediate intervention to avert conflict. Haysom stressed the importance of preserving the hard-won peace achieved since the inception of the revitalized agreement eight years ago.
In a meeting held on March 18, 2023, Haysom highlighted the increasing tensions following the takeover of the Nasir barracks by the White Army. The ongoing unrest has led to the arrest of high-ranking SPLA IO officials, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Amidst this turmoil, foreign military forces have been deployed in South Sudan, and there have been reports of airstrikes resulting in civilian casualties.
Haysom expressed concern over the spread of misinformation and hate speech, warning that these factors could escalate the conflict into an ethnic battleground. He acknowledged the proactive stance of South Sudan President Salva Kiir in assuring the population about the commitment to avoid war. However, he emphasized that this assurance can only materialize if all parties engage in implementing the revitalized agreement “steadfastly.”
He urged the AU PSC to take heed of the situation in neighboring Sudan, which serves as a cautionary tale of countries succumbing to war. To prevent a similar fate for South Sudan, he advocated for a return to consensus-based decision-making, intensive dialogue for grievance resolution, and the rebuilding of trust among conflicting parties.
Haysom concluded by reiterating that the sole viable pathway out of the conflict cycle is through the revitalized agreement, stressing the need for dedicated efforts to prevent war and facilitate progress towards South Sudan’s first democratic elections.
The warnings from Nicholas Haysom underscore the precarious situation in South Sudan as it nears a possible return to civil war. Immediate intervention and ongoing commitment to the revitalized agreement are crucial for maintaining peace. Haysom’s call for dialogue, consensus, and rebuilding of trust among the conflicting parties is vital to ensuring stability and progressing toward democratic elections in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.defenceweb.co.za
