Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called for urgent dialogue in South Sudan to mitigate escalating violence between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The U.S. has directed personnel to evacuate due to tensions and violence. The U.N. warns increasing violence threatens the peace agreement, urging leaders to prioritize stabilization and transition to democracy.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged the conflicting parties in South Sudan to engage in dialogue and prevent further violence. He highlighted the urgent necessity for stabilizing the conflict-ridden nation. President Salva Kiir’s discord with Vice President Riek Machar has triggered community violence, causing numerous fatalities and displacing thousands.
During a recent phone conversation, President Hassan Sheikh reached out to both Kiir and Machar, emphasizing the importance of dialogue to avert further conflict escalation that has already impacted several regions. “Today, I spoke with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Riek Machar about the security situation in South Sudan,” he stated, reinforcing Somalia’s solidarity with the South Sudanese people and the need for a lasting peace.
In light of the escalating violence, the U.S. State Department has ordered nonemergency personnel to evacuate from South Sudan’s capital. A travel advisory emphasized ongoing hostilities and the prevalence of weapons among the populace. Additionally, several government ministers linked to Machar were momentarily detained amidst violence attributed to the White Army, raising concerns about the continuity of the peace process established after the civil war.
The apprehension of these officials and the surrounding of Machar’s residence have heightened fears regarding the future of the peace agreement, which has faced significant strain due to mutual animosity between the factions. Moreover, an attack on a U.N. helicopter, described as a potential war crime, has exacerbated the already precarious security landscape in the region.
The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned that the surge in violence could severely compromise the peace agreement. Chairperson Yasmin Sooka articulated the need for leaders to prioritize the peace process over division, urging them to uphold human rights and facilitate a shift to democracy.
In summary, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has called for dialogue among conflict leaders in South Sudan to prevent further violence. Amid rising tensions, the U.S. has advised evacuations from Juba, highlighting the urgency for a reevaluation of peace efforts, as violence threatens to undermine established agreements. The international community must support initiatives aimed at stabilizing South Sudan and ensuring the protection of human rights.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
