Tensions Escalate in South Sudan as Fragile Peace Accord Faces Challenges

Tensions are intensifying in South Sudan as political strife and militia activities challenge the 2018 peace accord. Key incidents, including a militia attack on an SSPDF base, raise fears of renewed civil war. President Kiir’s reassurances have not alleviated concerns, with urgent calls for international intervention to prevent further conflict.

Recent developments in South Sudan signify a precarious situation as the fragile peace accord appears to be on the verge of collapse. The ongoing political and military tensions, particularly between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, have heightened fears of a resurgence of civil war. With cabinet reshuffles, arrests of high-ranking officials in Juba, and increased militia activities in Upper Nile State, the risk of renewed conflict is imminent.

A pivotal moment in this crisis occurred on March 4, when a South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) base in Nasir was attacked by the White Army—a militia affiliated with Machar. This assault stemmed from contentious proposals to integrate the SSPDF with local militias, including Agwelek and Abushok. Such violence exacerbates the already tense atmosphere in a nation still reeling from the devastating effects of a five-year civil war, during which nearly 400,000 lives were lost.

In an effort to mitigate the situation, President Kiir stated on March 7 that South Sudan would not descend into war again. However, his assurances have resonated little in Juba, where fears are palpable, and regional stakeholders express heightened trepidation. Solomon Dersso, head of the Ethiopian think tank Amani Africa, cautioned about the escalating crisis and urged for immediate high-level intervention to avert further declines in stability.

The African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) is addressing the South Sudan crisis in its 1265th session, emphasizing its urgent relevance. Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, recently noted that the clashes in Nasir represent a dangerous cycle of violence thrusting South Sudan closer to war. Reports have also emerged of Uganda deploying special forces in Juba, actions previously denied by the South Sudanese government, indicating serious regional concerns regarding stability.

As the international community closely monitors the situation, the potential collapse of the peace agreement poses broad repercussions. A return to conflict in South Sudan would not only bring a humanitarian crisis but would also destabilize the already delicate regional dynamics, straining neighboring countries and international organizations tasked with peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance.

In summary, South Sudan faces escalating tensions that threaten to dismantle the tenuous 2018 peace accord. Key developments, including militia violence, cabinet reshuffles, and deteriorating relations between leaders, signal a possible return to conflict. Urgent interventions are needed to stabilize the situation and safeguard the peace agreement, as the ramifications of renewed war would extend beyond South Sudan, impacting regional stability and humanitarian conditions.

Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke