Deteriorating Situation in South Sudan Raises Concerns Over Peace Process

The United Nations has reported a rapid deterioration in the situation in South Sudan, with violence and political tensions threatening the fragile peace process, especially following the arrests of officials allied to Vice President Riek Machar. Yasmin Sooka emphasized the urgent need for leaders to focus on democracy and uphold human rights. Recent clashes have intensified fears about the stability of the peace deal established in 2018 after a devastating civil war.

The situation in South Sudan is deteriorating rapidly, according to a United Nations rights body, with increasing violence and political tensions jeopardizing a fragile peace process. This assessment follows the recent arrests of several officials aligned with Vice President Riek Machar by security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir. Such developments have raised significant concerns regarding the sustainability of the 2018 peace agreement, which concluded a five-year civil war resulting in nearly 400,000 casualties.

Yasmin Sooka, the chairperson of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, expressed that there is an alarming regression in progress that could undo years of hard work. She urged leaders to concentrate on the peace process, protect the human rights of South Sudanese citizens, and facilitate a transition to democracy rather than inciting division and conflict.

The arrests, made in the wake of violent clashes in Nasir, highlight the growing tensions between national forces and the White Army militia, which predominantly consists of members from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group. Government spokesperson Michael Makuei stated that the arrests were necessary due to the alleged legal infractions of the arrested Machar-aligned officials, who he accused of collaborating with the White Army in attacking a military garrison.

Amidst these events, the National Security Services announced the detention of several individuals believed to have connections to the military confrontations in Nasir and a neighboring town; however, no specifics about the arrests were disclosed. Recently, a South Sudanese general and numerous soldiers lost their lives during a U.N. helicopter evacuation mission that came under attack near Nasir.

In summary, the United Nations has raised alarms about the escalating violence and political instability in South Sudan, exacerbated by recent arrests of key officials. Concerns regarding the future of the peace agreement that ended years of conflict are mounting. This situation calls for renewed commitment to human rights and the peace process, to avoid a further descent into chaos.

Original Source: www.straitstimes.com