South Sudan Political Crisis: SPLM-IO Withdraws from Peace Process Amid Rising Tensions

A major party, SPLM-IO, in South Sudan has suspended its role in the peace process due to escalating tensions with President Kiir. Recent violence has led to significant arrests and human displacement. Concerns about political witch-hunts and rising hate speech are prevalent, with fears of renewed civil unrest as regional conflicts spill over into South Sudan.

In a concerning development, a prominent party within South Sudan’s coalition government has announced a suspension of its participation in a vital component of the 2018 peace agreement. This decision arises amidst deteriorating relations between Riek Machar, the leader of the SPLM-IO party and First Vice President, and President Salva Kiir, exacerbated by recent violence and political arrests.

The peace agreement, which effectively concluded a protracted five-year conflict, has faced renewed tensions following clashes in the eastern regions of the country. Security forces have detained several officials from the SPLM-IO, including the petroleum minister and the deputy army chief, following an incident where the White Army militia compelled government forces to withdraw from the town of Nasir near the Ethiopian border.

Allegations linking SPLM-IO to the White Army, predominantly composed of ethnic Nuer youth who previously supported Machar, have been dismissed by the party. Deputy chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino conveyed that the SPLM-IO would refrain from any security arrangements related to the peace process until detained officials are released, stating, “The ongoing political witch-hunts continue to threaten the very essence and the existence of the (peace deal).”

The recent conflicts in Upper Nile state have resulted in significant human displacement, with an estimated 50,000 individuals forced to flee, including approximately 10,000 who have sought refuge in Ethiopia, as reported by UN Humanitarian Coordinator Anita Kiki Gbeho.

The situation has drawn concern from Nicholas Haysom, the Chief of UN Peacekeeping in South Sudan. He warned that the nation is “on the brink of relapse into civil war,” emphasizing the alarming surge in hate speech fueled by misinformation, which could aggravate ethnic tensions. The ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan is also perceived as a contributing factor to the instability of the peace process, as disruptions to South Sudan’s oil revenue and an influx of arms further escalate regional conflicts, according to analysts.

Given these developments, Alan Boswell from the International Crisis Group highlighted that the violence from Sudan is showing initial signs of spillover into South Sudan, creating challenges in maintaining stability in the capital, Juba.

The SPLM-IO’s withdrawal from crucial aspects of the 2018 peace process underscores the escalating tensions between its leader, Riek Machar, and President Salva Kiir. This move follows violent clashes and significant political arrests, culminating in a humanitarian crisis affecting thousands. As regional instability grows, the situation in South Sudan remains precarious, with fears of an impending civil conflict. The interplay between domestic and regional dynamics will be crucial in shaping the future of peace and stability in the region.

Original Source: www.thestar.com.my