South Sudan is witnessing a surge in violence due to renewed tensions between President Kiir and Vice President Machar, linked to the ongoing war in Sudan. The 2018 peace agreement is at risk amid internal divisions and economic turmoil. Potential widespread conflict looms as frustrations grow over governance failures and ethnic strife.
South Sudan’s Upper Nile state is experiencing an increase in violence as conflicts linked to the ongoing war in Sudan intensify internal divisions and corruption. Since the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement is under threat, tensions are rising, particularly between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, former rebel leaders and now adversaries. The recent arrest of several of Machar’s associates, including the oil minister, underscores the deepening crisis.
Conflict erupted in Upper Nile in mid-February, involving the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the armed youth group known as the “White Army,” which supports Machar. A U.N. helicopter aiming to rescue SSPDF soldiers came under fire last Friday, resulting in the death of a general and 27 soldiers. Reports indicate that thousands have been displaced and many wounded amid the ongoing violence, as highlighted by Human Rights Watch.
The renewed violence comes five years after the peace agreement, which ended a civil war that claimed nearly 400,000 lives and displaced millions. This fragile stability is being threatened by the civil war in neighboring Sudan that erupted in April 2023. As noted by the International Crisis Group, South Sudan’s economy has suffered significantly; an explosion near Khartoum destroyed a major oil pipeline, leading to a budget crisis for Kiir’s government that weakens its power.
The longstanding exploitation of South Sudan’s ethnic divisions by Sudanese military forces raises alarms over potential escalations between the Nuer and Dinka tribes. The risk of widespread violence looms, as organizations like Human Rights Watch warn of South Sudan’s fragility and corruption, along with its dangerous dependency on oil amidst prevalent poverty. A U.N. report from March 8 indicated that both political and military leaders are exacerbating the instability.
Yasmin Sooka, chair of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, remarked, “The leadership continues its violent power struggles across the country and is failing the people of South Sudan.” As frustrations rise over the political struggles between Kiir and Machar, which benefit neither, the potential collapse of the government poses risks that could transform South Sudan into a refuge for militias and encourage illicit activities.
In summary, South Sudan is facing increased violence fueled by political rivalries, economic crises, and the spillover effects of the conflict in Sudan. The longstanding power struggles between Kiir and Machar, coupled with rising ethnic tensions, threaten to destabilize the region further. The situation calls for urgent attention to prevent a complete collapse of governance and potential humanitarian crises.
Original Source: international.la-croix.com
