Tensions are escalating in South Sudan, threatening the fragile 2018 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Recent violence, including a militia attack on an SSPDF base, has raised fears of renewed civil conflict. Analysts are calling for urgent international intervention as regional instability impacts broader humanitarian and geopolitical concerns.
In South Sudan, the fragility of the 2018 peace agreement faces increasing threats due to escalating tensions and military activity. There have been significant developments including cabinet reshuffles, the arrest of senior officials in Juba, and renewed militia activities in the Upper Nile State. The risk of a return to civil war looms larger due to the strained relationship between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
The most recent crisis stems from an attack on a South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) base in Nasir on March 4. This assault was executed by the White Army, a militia affiliated with Machar, and arose from disputed plans to replace the SSPDF with a combined force of the Agwelek and Abushok militias. This violent incident escalates concerns in a nation that witnessed nearly 400,000 deaths during its previous civil war.
Despite President Kiir’s assurances on March 7 that South Sudan “would not revert to war,” fears persist among citizens and regional stakeholders. Observers such as Solomon Dersso, the founder of Amani Africa, emphasize the urgency of high-level interventions to avert a further decline into chaos. His warnings highlight the rising stakes surrounding South Sudan’s peace agreement.
The African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) has prioritized South Sudan’s crisis in its 1265th session agenda. Furthermore, IGAD’s Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, noted that the clashes in Nasir are part of a recurring cycle of violence that threatens to plunge South Sudan back into war.
In a troubling escalation, reports confirm Uganda’s deployment of special forces in Juba, which the South Sudanese government initially denied. This military movement underscores regional fears regarding South Sudan’s stability. The potential collapse of the peace deal poses significant humanitarian and geopolitical risks, affecting neighboring nations and international organizations as they navigate the destabilizing impacts of renewed conflict.
The situation in South Sudan is rapidly deteriorating, with a fragile peace agreement threatened by political strife and military unrest. The unrest encompasses a recent militia attack and escalating tensions between the country’s leaders, prompting calls for urgent intervention. The international community’s concern underscores the potential broader implications of conflict resurgence, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to restore stability in the region.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
