UN Commission Warns of Alarming Regression in South Sudan’s Peace Efforts

The UN has warned of alarming regression in South Sudan’s path to peace due to recent violence between government forces and an armed group linked to Vice President Machar. This situation endangers the 2018 power-sharing agreement intended to end civil war. With increasing unrest and international concern, leaders are urged to refocus on peace efforts. South Sudan continues to experience challenges following its separation from Sudan in 2011.

The United Nations commission on human rights for South Sudan has issued a grave warning regarding the country’s escalating violence, which threatens to reverse progress made in the pursuit of peace. Yasmin Sooka, the commission’s chairperson, emphasized that recent clashes between security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and an armed faction connected to First Vice President Riek Machar jeopardize their power-sharing agreement established in 2018.

This agreement was designed to conclude five years of civil conflict, but the ongoing violence raises fears of renewed warfare, particularly in Upper Nile state. Sooka stated, “We are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress,” urging leaders to refocus on the intricacies of the peace process and uphold human rights.

Further exacerbating the situation, Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, expressed significant concern and called for immediate cessation of hostilities. Violence flared in February in Nasir County, ignited by conflicts between the Sudanese armed forces and an identified youth militia, compounded by tensions surrounding disarmament activities.

The unrest has led to multiple altercations, with the UN reporting heavy weapon usage during these clashes. South Sudan’s information minister attributed part of the violence to the White Army, a Nuer militia allied with Machar’s faction. The situation intensified when President Kiir ordered the arrests of officials linked to Machar and effectively placed him under house arrest.

In a recent attempted rescue operation by UN forces, a helicopter came under attack, resulting in casualties, which have heightened fears of instability. President Kiir has since called for calm, assuring the public that his government remains dedicated to achieving peace.

South Sudan, the youngest nation globally since its independence in 2011, has endured significant strife since its inception. Following the 2013 outbreak of civil war, over 400,000 people lost their lives, and more than one million have been displaced. Although the 2018 Revitalised Agreement sought to unify opposing forces and establish a new constitution, the key reforms have yet to materialize.

Barney Afako, a commissioner of the UN on human rights in South Sudan, stressed that the country is witnessing a resurgence of dangerous power struggles, warning that citizens continue to suffer from human rights abuses and economic neglect. He stated, “They deserve respite and peace, not another cycle of war.”

The situation in South Sudan is critical as ongoing violent clashes threaten to dismantle the fragile peace established by the power-sharing agreement between President Kiir and Vice President Machar. The UN Commission on Human Rights emphasized the urgent need for a focus on the peace process and human rights, while warnings of a return to past conflicts loom large. The international community must advocate for peace and stability to prevent further suffering for the South Sudanese people.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com