The UN commission on human rights in South Sudan has warned of an alarming regression towards violence, threatening the fragile peace established by the power-sharing deal between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. Recent clashes, arrests of officials linked to Machar, and a UN helicopter attack foreshadow a return to past power struggles, endangering the nation’s stability. Observers stress the urgent need for a recommitment to peace and human rights.
The United Nations commission on human rights for South Sudan has expressed concern over an alarming regression in the country’s path to peace, primarily resulting from recent violent clashes. President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar’s power-sharing agreement, reached in 2018 to terminate five years of civil war, is now under severe threat. Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the commission, emphasized the urgent need for leaders to refocus on the peace process and protect human rights as violence escalates.
The resurgence of violence appears to have commenced in February when confrontations ignited between the Sudanese armed forces and an armed group labeled as a militia in Nasir County, Upper Nile State. Incendiary rumors regarding forced disarmament were cited as a potential spark for this unrest. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) confirmed significant clashes and reported instances of heavy weaponry used during these encounters across different regions.
Tensions amplified recently when Kiir ordered the arrests of several officials associated with Machar, effectively placing Machar under house arrest. Following an attack on a UN helicopter that was responding to the violence, which resulted in casualties, Kiir publicly called for calm, asserting the government would manage the crisis while pursuing peace.
Despite South Sudan’s bitter history marked by civil war and significant humanitarian crises since its independence in 2011, the 2018 Revitalised Agreement sought to unify armed factions and lay the groundwork for democratic governance. However, as noted by Barney Afako of the UN Commission, the anticipated reforms have largely not been implemented, and observers now fear a return to destructive power struggles prevalent in the country’s past.
The dire situation reflects the urgent needs of the South Sudanese population who have suffered through violence, rights violations, and economic hardships. Afako’s remarks underscore the expectation that South Sudan deserves an opportunity for peace and stability, rather than being plunged back into warfare.
In summary, the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan highlights the fragility of the peace process established by the power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The ongoing violence has raised concerns over potential regression into civil conflict, underscoring the need for focused dialogue and adherence to human rights. The international community, including the UN and the African Union, must advocate for a peaceful resolution to prevent further suffering among the South Sudanese populace.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
