IGAD Summons Extraordinary Summit to Address South Sudan’s Crisis

IGAD convenes a virtual summit on 12th March 2025 to address the escalating situation in South Sudan, where tensions threaten the fragile peace between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. Recent violence, including the attack on a UN helicopter and arrests of Machar’s allies, further complicates the political landscape. The summit aims to promote dialogue and de-escalate tensions in light of the unfulfilled peace agreement established in 2018.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is convening the 43rd Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government to address the current situation in South Sudan. This virtual summit is scheduled for Wednesday, 12th March 2025, highlighting IGAD’s commitment as the guarantor of the Revitalised Agreement (R-ARCSS) to promote dialogue, de-escalate tensions, and work towards a peaceful future for South Sudanese citizens.

Recent conflicts have jeopardized the fragile peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. President Kiir has called for calm, asserting that the nation will not revert to war amidst increasing tensions, including a UN helicopter being attacked, resulting in multiple fatalities, including a crew member.

The situation has further escalated with the arrest of the deputy chief of the army and two ministers associated with Machar, which an opposition spokesperson has condemned as a significant breach of the peace agreement. These arrests occurred following clashes in Upper Nile state involving government forces and the militia known as the White Army, which had previously supported Machar during the civil war.

South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has faced ongoing instability, particularly after a civil conflict erupted just two years post-independence due to a rift between Kiir and Machar, resulting in over 400,000 deaths. Although a power-sharing agreement was established in 2018 to end hostilities, many essential aspects of the agreement, such as the implementation of a new constitution, elections, and the reunification of armed forces, remain unfulfilled, leading to sporadic violence in various regions of the country.

The upcoming IGAD summit seeks to address the deteriorating situation in South Sudan, underscoring the persistent challenges in maintaining peace between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. The recent violence, arrests, and failure to fully implement the peace agreement emphasize the ongoing fragility of stability in South Sudan. With a history of civil conflict and unresolved issues from past agreements, it is crucial for leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue to secure a sustainable future for the nation.

Original Source: www.kbc.co.ke