Is South Sudan on the Verge of Renewed Civil War?

South Sudan may revert to civil war amid escalating tensions. Vice President Riek Machar’s allies are arrested, and clashes involve the ‘White Army’ militia and government troops. The 2018 peace deal, which ended a devastating civil conflict, now faces significant risks, bringing past violence into question.

South Sudan is currently facing the risk of returning to civil war, which could potentially involve greater conflict than previously experienced. Recent developments include the arrest of key allies of Vice President Riek Machar, alongside a temporary military encirclement of Machar’s residence in Juba, heightening tensions in the region.

Clashes have erupted between the ‘White Army,’ a militia allied with Machar during the earlier civil war, and government forces in the Upper Nile state near the Ethiopian border. The existing relationship between Machar and President Salva Kiir has long been contentious, leading to violent outbreaks, notably in 2013 when their political disagreements ignited a devastating civil conflict.

The civil war resulted in the tragic loss of approximately 400,000 lives and the displacement of 2.5 million individuals. Given the current escalations, there are concerns regarding the stability of the 2018 peace agreement that aimed to resolve the conflict. The ongoing situation raises critical fears about the durability of peace in South Sudan.

In summary, South Sudan stands on the precipice of potential renewed civil conflict fueled by rising tensions between political leaders and militant factions. The recent arrests of Riek Machar’s allies and skirmishes involving the ‘White Army’ underscore the fragility of the 2018 peace deal, originally designed to safeguard against such violence. Continuous monitoring and engagement are essential to avert a return to widespread warfare.

Original Source: www.bbc.com