IGAD will hold a virtual summit on March 12, 2025, to discuss rising tensions in South Sudan. The summit follows violent incidents, including clashes involving the White Army and implications of political arrests. IGAD remains dedicated to promoting dialogue and ensuring peace in the region.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an eight-member regional organization, is set to hold an extraordinary summit on March 12, 2025, to address the growing tensions in South Sudan. The virtual summit follows statements made by IGAD regarding recent violent occurrences in the country, suggesting an urgent need for intervention from regional leaders.
IGAD’s membership comprises Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda, and it plays a crucial role in overseeing the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (R-ARCSS). The current chairman of IGAD is President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti.
A recent statement emphasized IGAD’s dedication to fostering dialogue, reducing tensions, and ensuring a peaceful resolution for South Sudan. This summit comes in response to recent clashes in Nasir, where the White Army, an armed group, captured a military barracks. Accusations have arisen linking this group to First Vice President Riek Machar from the SPLM-IO.
The situation intensified following a United Nations helicopter attack that resulted in the deaths of an army commander and a U.N. crew member. These events coincided with the arrest of a deputy army chief and a minister aligned with Machar, which the SPLM-IO has labeled a severe breach of the 2018 peace agreement, originally signed by Kiir and Machar.
The peace agreement, despite its intent to foster stability, has encountered significant hurdles, particularly regarding the formation of a unified military force, critical for maintaining peace in South Sudan.
The upcoming IGAD summit aims to address escalating violence in South Sudan and emphasize the importance of dialogue and conflict resolution. As regional leaders gather, the focus will be on the implications of recent violent events, including attacks on military personnel and accusations surrounding political affiliations. The path to peace remains challenging, but IGAD’s commitment seeks to uphold the integrity of the 2018 peace agreement.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
