South Sudan faces escalating violence and risk of renewed civil war due to tensions between the SPLM and SPLM-IO, highlighting the urgent need for peace efforts. The White Army’s takeover and SSPDF’s retaliatory strikes have resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement. The UN warns that the situation threatens the 2018 peace agreement, exacerbating a widespread humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
The security situation in South Sudan is rapidly deteriorating due to escalating tensions between the two primary political factions: the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), led by President Salva Kiir, and the opposition, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), headed by First Vice President Riek Machar. This precarious environment poses a substantial risk of renewed civil war.
On March 4, a youth militia known as the White Army seized control of military barracks previously held by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF). In response, aerial bombardments targeted civilian areas in the Upper Nile region, employing highly flammable devices, resulting in numerous casualties and significant injuries, along with the displacement of approximately 100,000 individuals.
Concerns about escalating violence in the Upper Nile have intensified following reports of further mobilization of both the White Army and SSPDF, including suspected child recruitment. Consequently, on March 24, clashes erupted in the capital city, Juba, between SSPDF and SPLM-IO affiliated forces, heightening fears of widespread conflict reminiscent of the civil wars of 2013 and 2016, and placing the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement at risk.
Politically, several military and civilian officials associated with SPLM-IO have been removed from their positions, with some detained or in hiding. Reports indicated that First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest on March 26. Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), cautioned that South Sudan is on the brink of a renewed civil war and emphasized the imperative to adhere to the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
The United Nations, in collaboration with international and regional partners, is engaged in diplomatic efforts to avert a catastrophic war that could devastate South Sudan and its neighboring regions. Collaborating entities, including the African Union (AU) and East Africa’s Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), are committed to protecting the progress made since the peace agreement was established. Nonetheless, success hinges on the willingness of all parties to pursue peace efforts.
In his remarks, the UN Secretary-General urged South Sudan’s leaders to prioritize peace and the welfare of their citizens, stating, “Put down the weapons,” and emphasizing the need to place the security of all South Sudanese first.
Established in 2011, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was initially tasked with helping the nation solidify peace and security necessary for development. The mission now focuses on preventing a return to civil conflict, fostering self-reliance in South Sudan, and addressing gaps in building enduring peace and governance to support fair elections.
The security crisis in South Sudan necessitates immediate action to prevent a return to civil war following a significant deterioration of relations between major political factions. Ongoing violence, particularly in the Upper Nile region, poses a humanitarian crisis affecting millions. The UN and its partners are actively pursuing diplomatic solutions to restore peace, emphasizing the need for unity and dialogue among South Sudan’s leaders to prioritize the well-being of their citizens and uphold the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Original Source: peacekeeping.un.org
