IGAD Chief Calls for Restraint and Dialogue Amid South Sudan Tensions

Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary, urges restraint and dialogue to alleviate rising tensions in South Sudan, particularly in Nasir County. He expresses concern over the risks to the peace process and announces a high-level delegation to address the situation. Clashes have resulted in significant fatalities and injuries, necessitating urgent measures to restore calm and support the R-ARCSS.

Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has called for restraint and dialogue to address escalating tensions in South Sudan. He expressed significant concern regarding the armed clashes occurring in Nasir County, emphasizing that these developments jeopardize the substantial progress made in implementing the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Gebeyehu urged all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint, reaffirm their commitment to the R-ARCSS, and prioritize dialogue and reconciliation as essential means to achieve lasting peace while protecting civilians and ensuring regional stability. To this end, IGAD has decided to send a high-level delegation to assess the situation and collaborate with the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity on measures to restore calm and further the peace process.

As the guarantor of the revitalized peace accord, IGAD reaffirms its dedicated commitment to the complete implementation of the agreement. Tensions in South Sudan have flared recently, particularly with clashes erupting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and armed civilian groups in Nasir County. This unrest intensified following the government’s announcement of plans to deploy new forces in the area, leading to more than 20 fatalities and numerous injuries in the vicinity of the now-deserted town of Nasir, located near the border with Ethiopia.

In light of the recent escalations in South Sudan, IGAD emphasizes the necessity for restraint and constructive dialogue to prevent further violence. The high-level delegation’s forthcoming assessment and engagement with the transitional government underscore IGAD’s commitment to sustaining peace and implementing the R-ARCSS effectively. The situation demands immediate attention to safeguard civilian lives and maintain stability in the region.

Original Source: ommcomnews.com