South Sudan faces increasing risks of civil war as violence, political tensions, and ethnic strife rise, according to UNMISS Chief Nicholas Haysom. He emphasized the urgent need for leaders to recommit to the 2018 peace deal and maintain dialogue to prevent further conflict.
South Sudan is on the verge of a potential civil war, as escalating violence and deepening political tensions create a stark and urgent situation, according to a warning issued by Nicholas Haysom, the head of the UN Mission in the country (UNMISS). During a recent briefing via videolink from Juba, Haysom highlighted alarming reports of indiscriminate assaults on civilians, mass displacements, and growing ethnic strife. He stressed the essential need for all factions to step back from conflict and prioritize peace to avoid another destructive chapter in South Sudan’s troubled history.
The fragile peace that South Sudan has experienced since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011 is at significant risk. The country has faced turmoil since its inception, with a civil war erupting in 2013 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those backing his former deputy, Riek Machar. Although a peace deal was signed in 2018, the implementation has been sluggish, and old rivalries continue to threaten stability.
A recent bout of violence commenced on March 4, when the White Army, a youth militia, overwhelmed a South Sudanese army barrack in Nasir, located in the Upper Nile province. In retaliation, government forces conducted airstrikes on civilian locales, indiscriminately deploying barrel bombs, some reportedly laden with highly flammable substances. Haysom indicated that these attacks have resulted in substantial casualties and severe injuries, particularly among women and children, with around 63,000 people fleeing the affected regions.
Both the White Army and national forces are apparently preparing for further clashes, with disturbing accounts of child recruitment into armed groups surfacing. The involvement of foreign troops at the government’s behest is stoking concerns and evoking dark memories of earlier civil wars.
Compounding the crisis, political tensions are on the rise, with significant leaders aligned with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) being displaced, arrested, or forced into hiding. The spread of misinformation and ethnic hate speech is exacerbating divisions and fears within communities, making reconciliation increasingly challenging. “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,” Mr. Haysom cautioned.
The UN Mission has engaged in concerted diplomatic efforts working alongside key regional and international partners, including the African Union (AU) and IGAD. Unfortunately, a planned high-level diplomatic visit by IGAD foreign ministers to Juba aimed at mediation was abruptly canceled by the South Sudanese government without explanation, which Mr. Haysom labeled as a “disappointing development at a time when diplomatic outreach is more important than ever.”
Haysom urged the leaders of South Sudan to demonstrate their commitment to the 2018 peace agreement, enforce the ceasefire, release detained officials, and rely on dialogue instead of military action to settle disputes. He also called upon President Kiir and First Vice President Machar to meet and publicly reaffirm their dedication to peace. “The time for action is now, because the alternative is too terrible to contemplate,” he emphasized.
The current situation in South Sudan represents a grave warning as violence surges and political unrest continues. UNMISS Chief Nicholas Haysom has made it clear that urgent action is needed from the country’s leaders to prevent a slide back into civil war. With past gains hanging in the balance, the international community’s involvement remains crucial to ensuring a return to a peaceful resolution.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
