UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for immediate action to address the escalating crisis in South Sudan, emphasizing the need for the restoration of Government of National Unity and peace. He warns of potential regional conflict and highlights the dire humanitarian situation as well as the failure of diplomatic efforts.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urgently called on South Sudan’s leadership and the international community to act decisively to avert further devastation in the conflict-ridden nation. He warned that the ongoing ethnic and political targeting by security forces could escalate into a wider regional conflict, exacerbated by recent airstrikes on civilians.
Guterres described the current violence, which included an armed convoy led by top security officials illegally entering the home of First Vice President Riek Machar, as part of a “perfect storm” confronting the country. The relationship between Machar and President Salva Kiir has deteriorated since their peace agreement in August 2018, which ended a five-year civil war that caused nearly 400,000 fatalities. Machar’s party described his detention as a signal of the peace deal’s collapse.
The UN has reported the use of barrel bombs in airstrikes, further escalating tensions amid clashes between the army and Machar’s former rebel group. Guterres remarked that “the peace agreement is in shambles” and insisted on the immediate release of detained officials and the full restoration of the Government of National Unity, essential for any progress toward peace.
More than 75 percent of South Sudan’s population requires humanitarian aid, with severe food insecurity affecting at least half. Adding to the crisis is a cholera outbreak, as over a million refugees have fled primarily to Sudan. The economic situation is critical, highlighted by soaring inflation and plummeting oil revenues. Guterres indicated that these conditions could lead to a re-emergence of civil wars reminiscent of 2013 and 2016.
Guterres emphasized the urgent need for diplomatic efforts, urging dialogue and de-escalation. He stated, “South Sudan is at a crossroads,” imploring all parties to prioritize rebuilding the nation. He has communicated support for the African Union’s initiatives and emphasized that international attention on South Sudan must be rekindled, alongside an increase in diplomatic and financial backing to address the escalating crisis.
As calls for a unified approach to the peace process grow, Guterres reiterates that it is imperative for regional and international bodies, including the UN and AU, to work collaboratively to restore stability and peace in South Sudan, to meet the needs and aspirations of its long-suffering population.
In conclusion, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has highlighted the urgent need for action in South Sudan to prevent further conflict and humanitarian disaster. He has called for the immediate restoration of the Government of National Unity, the release of detained officials, and renewed diplomatic efforts. With the humanitarian crisis deepening and the specter of renewed civil war looming, it is crucial for both South Sudan’s leadership and the international community to take decisive steps toward peace and stability.
Original Source: www.arabnews.jp
