Ongoing Tensions in South Sudan: Challenges to Peace and Stability
South Sudan, independent since 2011, faces ongoing tensions exacerbated by divisions and political mistrust. Recent clashes between armed groups and government forces threaten the 2018 peace agreement, prompting President Kiir to urge for calm while pledging to maintain order. Despite the peace agreement, fundamental provisions remain unimplemented, underscoring the challenges the nation continues to confront.
The Republic of South Sudan gained independence in 2011, signaling hope for liberation from previous Arabization and Islamization policies enforced by past Sudanese administrations. Nonetheless, severe divisions and political mistrust persist, hampering the nation’s progress. Recently, conflicts erupted between an armed group and government forces, resulting in the arrest of a deputy army chief affiliated with Vice President Riek Machar. This incident has heightened tensions and jeopardized the fragile peace agreement.
According to reports from AP News, South Sudan experienced a destructive civil war from 2013 to 2018 that claimed the lives of over 400,000 individuals. A peace agreement was reached in 2018 between President Salva Kiir and his adversary, Machar, yet its implementation remains incomplete, leaving the nation in a precarious state. Clashes have notably recurred in Upper Nile State involving the White Army, previously allied with Machar, against government forces.
The BBC highlights that although the 2018 agreement aimed to cease hostilities, critical components have not been enacted. These include establishing a new constitution, conducting elections, and unifying various armed groups into a consolidated national army. In light of the unrest, President Kiir urged citizens to maintain calm, asserting that the government would manage the situation effectively. He emphasized, “I have said it time and again that our country will not go back to war. Let no one take law into their hands.”
In summary, South Sudan continues to grapple with significant political instability, marked by ongoing conflict and ethnic divisions despite its independence in 2011. The recent clashes and subsequent arrests threaten the fragile peace established in 2018. President Kiir’s calls for calm and determination to maintain peace highlight the ongoing challenges faced in achieving stability in the region.
Original Source: moderntokyotimes.com
