South Sudan launched air strikes against rebels in Nasir County, escalating tensions between government forces and opposition groups. Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth reported civilian casualties, while local accounts indicated over 20 fatalities, including children. The conflict jeopardizes the 2018 peace agreement, and the international community expresses concern over ongoing violence and instability in the region.
On Monday, South Sudan announced it had conducted air strikes targeting rebel positions in Nasir County amid escalating hostilities between government forces and opposition groups. This development raises significant concerns regarding the stability of the current peace-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, following an already turbulent political landscape.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth confirmed that the air force executed the bombardment as part of ongoing security efforts. He mentioned that should any civilians be affected by the strikes, the government would have limited recourse. Reports from local sources indicated over 20 fatalities, including children, resulting from the air strikes.
The escalation of fighting in Nasir County has increased tensions between the factions of Kiir and Machar, posing a serious risk to the 2018 peace agreement that concluded a devastating five-year civil war, which claimed nearly 400,000 lives. The South Sudanese government has accused Machar’s forces of working alongside the White Army, a militia comprised of armed youths from the Nuer ethnic group, to incite violence in the region.
Earlier in the month, tensions had already flared when approximately 6,000 White Army fighters seized a military base in Nasir, exacerbating the conflict. The situation deteriorated further following a failed rescue attempt by the United Nations that resulted in the deaths of a UN helicopter pilot and a prominent South Sudanese general.
Minister Lueth also acknowledged the presence of Ugandan forces in Juba under a military pact, contradicting prior denials of their deployment. Ugandan Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba stated that the deployment of special forces to Juba was a measure to enhance security in the capital.
The intensifying violence in South Sudan has attracted international attention, with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights expressing concerns over the country’s regression, warning that such developments could threaten the fragile stability that has been achieved over recent years.
In summary, South Sudan’s military actions against rebels in Nasir County denote a grave situation that threatens existing peace agreements. The reported casualties raise humanitarian concerns, while accusations against opposition forces may further escalate violence. The involvement of Ugandan forces and broader international apprehension underscores the potential derailment of progress achieved since the civil war. This evolving crisis necessitates urgent attention from the global community to ensure stability and protect civilians in South Sudan.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
