South Sudan on the Brink: UN Warns of Imminent Conflict Amid Violence
The United Nations has warned that South Sudan is close to renewed conflict, exacerbated by political infighting between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The stalling of a power-sharing agreement and rising militia violence pose significant risks. With humanitarian crises worsening and regional tensions rising due to conflict in neighboring Sudan, experts are concerned about the possibility of civil war.
The United Nations has issued a warning regarding the precarious situation in South Sudan, indicating that the nation is on the verge of renewed conflict. Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has been embroiled in political turmoil, and the current power-sharing agreement appears to be faltering. The U.S. has begun to evacuate non-emergency personnel, reflecting the increasing tension stemming from political infighting and escalating violence among militias.
Tensions escalated last month between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, both of whom previously fought in a civil war prior to the 2018 peace agreement. Their partnership is now strained due to President Kiir’s removal of numerous Machar loyalists from government positions. Incidents such as government troops surrounding Machar’s residence and the detention of allied officials have intensified the conflict, alongside clashes between the White Army militia and government forces.
Recent violence includes the White Army’s seizure of a military base in Upper Nile State, coupled with a lethal airstrike by government forces that resulted in significant casualties. Furthermore, President Kiir’s decision to dismiss the Upper Nile State governor, affiliated with Machar’s party, exacerbates the unrest as the humanitarian situation in the country deteriorates.
The UN’s ongoing mission has about 20,000 peacekeepers in South Sudan, with Nicolas Haysom, head of the mission, cautioning that the country risks relapsing into civil war as it faces a worsening humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate half the population experiences food insecurity, with millions displaced within and beyond its borders.
Uganda has intervened by deploying special forces to Juba to support President Kiir, leading to discontent among opposition entities, including Machar’s SPLM-IO, that have begun withdrawing from specific security agreements. The conflict in neighboring Sudan further complicates matters, potentially dragging South Sudan deeper into turmoil, with experts expressing concerns about a broader regional war.
Alan Boswell from the International Crisis Group noted the connection between the conflict in Sudan and South Sudan’s fiscal challenges, as the oil-rich nation grapples with a significant financial crisis. The complex dynamics of regional warfare and internal politics have heightened fears of an impending civil war that could escalate throughout the Horn of Africa.
The situation in South Sudan remains highly volatile, with tensions between President Kiir and Vice President Machar posing threats to peace. The involvement of foreign troops from Uganda and the humanitarian crisis further complicate the landscape. As political alliances crumble and regional conflicts escalate, the potential for renewed civil war looms large, prompting urgent calls for international intervention and monitoring.
Original Source: www.northcountrypublicradio.org
