IGAD to Convene Virtual Summit Addressing South Sudan’s Rising Tensions

The IGAD will hold a virtual summit on March 12, 2025, to discuss rising tensions in South Sudan, following recent violence and political unrest linked to the SPLM-IO. The meeting aims to promote dialogue and restore peace, amid significant challenges in implementing the 2018 peace agreement.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc composed of eight member states, will hold an extraordinary summit on March 12, 2025, aimed at addressing the escalating tensions in South Sudan. The summit comes as a response to the renewed violence observed in the country, with discussions taking place virtually.

The IGAD member states, which include Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda, are engaged as guarantors of South Sudan’s 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (R-ARCSS). The summit is chaired by President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti.

In a recent statement, IGAD emphasized its unwavering devotion to fostering dialogue, de-escalating tensions, and striving for a peaceful future for the South Sudanese people. This summit follows violent clashes in Nasir, where an armed group, known as the White Army, seized a military barracks. President Kiir’s faction alleged that the group has ties to First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM-IO.

Tensions intensified following an incident where a United Nations helicopter, tasked with evacuating SSPDF soldiers, came under gunfire, resulting in the deaths of an army commander and a U.N. crew member among others. These violent events occurred shortly after the arrest of a deputy army chief and a minister associated with Machar, an action condemned by the SPLM-IO as a serious breach of the peace agreement that concluded a five-year civil conflict.

There have been significant hurdles in the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, particularly regarding the establishment of a unified armed force, which remains a critical issue in achieving lasting peace in South Sudan.

The IGAD summit highlights the ongoing tensions within South Sudan, following violent clashes and political arrests that jeopardize peace efforts. With regional leaders convening to address these issues, there remains a critical need for dialogue and collaboration to uphold the 2018 peace agreement and enhance stability in the region.

Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org