Professor Jok Madut Jok warns of a potential return to civil war in South Sudan as the 2018 peace deal collapses. He highlights escalating tensions between the leadership, increasing communal conflicts, dire economic conditions, and the government’s failure to support national soldiers. Jok calls for collective accountability among South Sudanese citizens to avert further destabilization.
Professor Jok Madut Jok of Syracuse University has expressed grave concerns about the potential for South Sudan to revert to civil war, as the 2018 peace agreement deteriorates. In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, he highlighted the rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, emphasizing that the SPLM/A-IO faces a crucial decision regarding the political landscape or the possibility of renewed conflict.
Prof. Jok stated, “The peace agreement is collapsing,” emphasizing the detrimental choices faced by the SPLA-IO. He noted that Dr. Machar is currently in a precarious situation, effectively under house arrest, with his leadership fragmented and his commanders either hiding or in the bush. This disarray, compounded by the SPLM-IG seizing government positions, indicates President Kiir’s waning commitment to the peace agreement.
Jok cautioned that the current trends threaten the agreement’s existence, predicting that the SPLM-IG will consolidate power, forcing the opposition to either submit or revolt. The future of this peace deal is precariously balanced, leading to the imminent risk of a collapse.
Furthermore, Prof. Jok pointed out a troubling increase in communal conflicts throughout South Sudan, linking them to the political struggles in Juba. He mentioned rising tensions between the Nuer in Unity State and the Jieng in Warrap, and described the prevailing violence as an ongoing threat to peace for ordinary citizens.
He critiqued the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), arguing that it fails to address the root causes of violence, and while it may prevent armed conflict between certain factions, it does not mitigate the everyday violence affecting communities.
Prof. Jok also described the dire economic situation in South Sudan, characterized by failed harvests and disrupted trade, which he fears could worsen if full-scale war breaks out again. He chastised the government for prioritizing power over the welfare of its citizens, further criticizing the deployment of Ugandan forces as detrimental to national sovereignty.
The analyst emphasized the growing resentment within the national army due to the government’s decision to prioritize foreign troops while neglecting to pay South Sudanese soldiers. This oversight threatens national unity and sovereignty.
Moreover, Prof. Jok called for unification among South Sudanese people to hold their leaders accountable for their actions. He warned of potential disengagement from the international community should the SPLM-IG become dictatorial, urging immediate focus on national survival and the establishment of transitional leadership.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Jok assiduously warned that South Sudan currently stands at a critical juncture, where upcoming decisions could either lead to chaos or pave the way towards lasting peace.
In summation, Professor Jok Madut Jok has articulated serious concerns regarding the disintegration of the South Sudan peace agreement. With rising tensions, communal violence, economic strife, and neglected military personnel, the situation remains precarious. Urging unity and accountability among the populace, he cautions that without immediate remedial steps, South Sudan risks further destabilization. The coming months are crucial for determining the nation’s trajectory toward peace or conflict.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
