South Sudan’s government has ordered civilians to vacate a northern area following an airstrike against an armed group, potentially jeopardizing the 2018 peace agreement. The Information Minister warned of consequences for those who refuse to comply. Clashes with the White Army and recent political tensions further complicate the security situation in the region.
The government of South Sudan has issued a directive for civilians to evacuate a northern area following an airstrike against an armed group. This group has been implicated in an attack on a military base and a United Nations helicopter. The events took place in Nasir County, where tensions have escalated, jeopardizing a peace agreement reached in 2018 between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, aimed at ending a brutal civil war that resulted in over 400,000 fatalities.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth stated that civilians remaining in military zones who do not comply with the evacuation order “will be treated accordingly.” He confirmed the airstrike conducted by the army in Nasir County and indicated that such military actions would persist. Reports suggest that the airstrike resulted in the deaths of over a dozen civilians, a claim not acknowledged by the army.
In Nasir County, government forces are engaged in clashes with the White Army, an armed group believed to have affiliations with Vice President Machar. Tensions have increased recently when President Kiir terminated officials aligned with Machar, prompting concerns from Machar’s faction regarding the integrity of the peace deal. Earlier in the month, the military surrounded Machar’s residence in Juba, leading to the arrest of several of his associates after the White Army seized the military base in Nasir County.
The situation in South Sudan demonstrates the fragile state of peace following the civil war, as the government’s call for evacuations highlights the threat posed by armed factions. The ongoing military actions and political tensions, particularly regarding the White Army’s influence and the stability of the 2018 peace deal, underscore the challenges facing the nation as it strives for lasting peace and security for its citizens.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
