Concerns arise over a potential return to civil war in South Sudan following the arrest of Vice President Riek Machar’s allies and militia clashes with government troops. The already strained relationship between Machar and President Salva Kiir, exacerbated since the bloody civil conflict of 2013, casts doubt on the stability introduced by the 2018 peace deal.
In recent weeks, concerns have escalated regarding the potential for South Sudan to relapse into civil war. Following the arrest of key allies of Vice President Riek Machar and a temporary military blockade around his residence in Juba, the nation’s stability appears increasingly precarious. Hostilities have resurfaced as clashes between the White Army militia, which previously aligned with Machar, and government forces have erupted in Upper Nile state, near the Ethiopian border.
The relationship between Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir has been historically contentious, culminating in a devastating civil war in 2013 that resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities and the displacement of over 2.5 million individuals. This backdrop raises pressing questions about the durability of the 2018 peace agreement that aimed to halt the violence that had gripped the nation.
The potential for renewed conflict in South Sudan is alarming, with experts suggesting that such an upheaval could surpass previous violence in scale and severity. Understanding the dynamics at play within the government and the military is crucial, as they could determine the country’s future trajectory. In an engagement hosted by Mpholakaje, Daniel Akech Thiong from the Crisis Group discussed these critical developments.
The situation in South Sudan remains tenuous, marked by recent arrests and militia clashes that suggest an impending crisis. The fragile relationship between Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir, coupled with the instability intensified by the 2013 civil war and the subsequent peace agreement, heightens the risk of renewed conflict. Continued monitoring and analysis will be essential to navigate the precarious landscape ahead.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
