South Sudan faces escalating violence and political tensions that threaten civil war. UNMISS chief Nicholas Haysom highlights indiscriminate attacks, mass displacement, and rising ethnic conflicts. He calls for immediate diplomatic efforts and a recommitment to the 2018 peace agreement to avert catastrophe.
South Sudan is facing potential civil war due to rising violence and political tensions, as warned by the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan, Mr. Nicholas Haysom. During a briefing from Juba, he highlighted that indiscriminate attacks on civilians have resulted in mass displacement and growing ethnic conflicts. Mr. Haysom called on all factions to prioritize peace to prevent a return to devastating conflict, stating, “A conflict would erase all the hard-won gains made since the 2018 peace deal was signed. It would devastate not only South Sudan but the entire region, which simply cannot afford another war.”
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has struggled with instability and conflict, including a civil war that began in 2013 between supporters of President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar. Although the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement instated some stability, ongoing implementation issues and political rivalries have exacerbated tensions within the nation.
Violence erupted on March 4, when the White Army, a youth militia, attacked army barracks in Upper Nile province. In retaliation, government forces conducted aerial bombings on civilian populations, employing highly destructive barrel bombs. Mr. Haysom reported significant civilian casualties and the displacement of over 63,000 people. Furthermore, there are reports of child recruitment into armed groups and the mobilization of both conflicting forces, indicating potential for further violence.
Political tensions continue to rise as government officials from the opposition, SPLM-IO, face removal, detention, or compelled concealment. Misinformation and hate speech are contributing to ethnic divisions and fear within the populace. Mr. Haysom expressed concern, stating, “Given this grim situation, we are left with no other conclusion, but to assess that South Sudan is teetering on the edge of a relapse into civil war.”
UNMISS is working with various regional and international entities, including the African Union and IGAD, to facilitate peace negotiations; however, a vital visit by IGAD ministers to Juba was postponed unexpectedly by the government. Mr. Haysom called this development disappointing and emphasized the need for immediate diplomatic efforts.
He strongly urged South Sudan’s leadership to recommit to the 2018 peace agreement, maintain ceasefire, engage in dialogue, and publicly affirm their commitment to peace, stating, “The time for action is now because the alternative is too terrible to contemplate.”
The situation in South Sudan is increasingly precarious, with rising violence and deepening political rifts threatening to plunge the nation into civil war. The UN stresses the need for urgent recommitment to peace, highlighting the critical importance of dialogue over conflict. Immediate action is essential to avoid devastating consequences for South Sudan and the wider region.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
