IGAD will hold a virtual summit on March 12, 2025, to address rising tensions in South Sudan. The meeting, led by President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, follows recent violent clashes and arrests that threaten the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement between President Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is set to hold an extraordinary summit on March 12, 2025, to discuss rising tensions in South Sudan, according to a statement released on Monday. This virtual meeting will involve the leaders of the eight-member regional organization, which includes nations such as Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda.
IGAD serves a critical role as the guarantor of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (R-ARCSS) in South Sudan, indicating its commitment to ensuring peace in the region. The summit will be presided over by President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, who emphasized the bloc’s goal of promoting dialogue and de-escalating tensions within the nation.
Recent violence in South Sudan has escalated, particularly highlighted by clashes in Nasir where the White Army, a loosely organized armed group, seized control of a military barracks. The camp of President Salva Kiir has accused the group of affiliations with First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO).
Further conflict erupted on Friday when a United Nations helicopter, tasked with evacuating SSPDF soldiers, was fired upon, resulting in fatalities among military personnel and U.N. crew members. This incident followed the prior arrest of a deputy army chief and an ally of Machar, which the SPLM-IO has denounced as a severe violation of the 2018 peace agreement that aimed to end the civil war.
As the 2018 peace agreement between President Kiir and Machar faces numerous hurdles, particularly concerning the establishment of a unified army, the upcoming summit is a crucial step in addressing the ongoing issues of stability and peace in South Sudan.
In summary, the IGAD is convening an extraordinary summit to address the escalating violence in South Sudan, particularly in light of the recent clashes and arrests. The commitment to uphold the 2018 peace agreement remains central, with the meeting aimed at fostering dialogue and promoting stability in a region under significant tension. The future of peace in South Sudan hinges on the successful implementation of this agreement and the resolution of ongoing conflicts.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
