UN Warns of Alarming Regression in South Sudan Amid Renewed Violence

The UN warns of alarming regression in South Sudan due to violent clashes threatening the power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Attacks on UN personnel highlight this instability. Officials urge leaders to refocus on peace as citizens deserve respite from ongoing conflict.

The United Nations has issued a warning regarding the troubling situation in South Sudan, describing the current environment as one of “alarming regression.” Recent violent clashes in the northeast may significantly undermine years of progress towards peace, with a fragile power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar under serious threat due to their allied forces’ conflicts in Upper Nile State.

On Friday, a UN helicopter on a rescue mission in Upper Nile was attacked, resulting in the death of one crew member and injuries to two others. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported that an army general also lost his life during this unsuccessful rescue attempt, highlighting the ongoing instability in a nation already beset by political turmoil and violence.

In response to the unrest, President Kiir has called for calm and reassured the public of his intentions to avoid a recurrence of war. Yasmin Sooka, the chair of the UN commission on human rights in South Sudan, stated that the country is currently facing a disturbing setback that threatens to negate years of progress towards stability. She stressed the need for leaders to prioritize the peace process and respect human rights.

The power-sharing agreement reached in 2018, which aimed to end a five-year civil conflict, is increasingly fragile as allegations surface that Kiir’s allies accuse Machar’s forces of inciting disorder with the help of the armed group known as the White Army, comprised largely of youths from Machar’s Nuer ethnic community.

Commissioner Barney Afako remarked on the dire situation, noting that the nation has witnessed a resurgence of counterproductive power struggles reminiscent of past devastation. He emphasized that South Sudanese citizens have endured numerous human rights violations and economic mismanagement, deserving a break from conflict instead of entering another cycle of war.

In summary, South Sudan is experiencing a critical regression towards conflict, jeopardizing hard-won advancements in peace, particularly amidst renewed tensions between the ruling factions. The UN has highlighted the necessity for leadership to refocus on peace and human rights protection. The ongoing violence and instability reflect the fragile nature of the power-sharing agreement that ended the previous civil war, underscoring the urgent need for resolution.

Original Source: 24newshd.tv