South Sudan is witnessing renewed conflict between President Kiir and VP Machar, leading to arrests of high-ranking officials and growing tensions. A recent UN helicopter attack resulted in several deaths. The stability established by the 2018 peace deal is under threat, with allegations of complicity and external influences fueling unrest as the country prepares for elections in 2026.
South Sudan faces escalating tensions as regional and international bodies urge leaders to mediate the conflict between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Recent clashes across the nation have intensified, prompting the arrest of numerous high-ranking officials, including the ministers of petroleum and peace building, while Machar’s residence in Juba was reportedly surrounded by security forces.
A United Nations helicopter carrying out a rescue operation was shot down, resulting in the death of military officials, including a general, an act labeled an “assassination” by President Kiir. This conflict, which reignited in February, may stem from unclear tensions; however, human rights organizations attribute it to disarmament efforts in certain states, including Upper Nile.
Outgoing African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki has called for a ceasefire and urged immediate national dialogue among conflicting parties. Since February, South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have engaged in combat with a group known as the White Army in Upper Nile State, which the government associates with Machar’s opposition party, the SPLM-IO. As tensions escalate, the SSPDF’s deputy chief was also apprehended during a crackdown in Juba.
Military spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang has urged former opposition fighters integrated into the military to resume their duties, but many remain in hiding due to crackdowns that exacerbate the already delicate situation. The peace agreement from 2018 between Kiir and Machar is in jeopardy, as Machar is under de facto house arrest with senior military officials aligned with him also confined.
Despite the signing of the peace deal, numerous agreed points about military integration, constitutional development, and election organization remain unfulfilled. Analysts believe the resurgence of violence is linked to unrest in Sudan, where conflict between the Sudanese Army and RSF has severely disrupted oil supplies to South Sudan, complicating Kiir’s capacity to maintain order.
In navigating this crisis, Juba needs to sustain rapport with both factions to secure oil transportation and preserve pipeline infrastructure. Recent bilateral discussions between Kiir and Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman focused on mutual security concerns. Tensions persist as accusations fly between Khartoum and Juba regarding recruitment and hosting activities related to the RSF. South Sudan is scheduled to hold its inaugural elections in December 2026, fifteen years post-independence.
South Sudan is experiencing a resurgence of conflict between its political leaders, with regional and international entities pressing for resolution. A recent crackdown on government officials and military personnel exacerbates an already tense environment, jeopardizing the fragile peace established in 2018. The ongoing strife shares connections to the broader instability in Sudan, further complicating South Sudan’s security and economic landscape. Without fulfilling the terms of the peace agreement, the potential for future violence looms large, especially with impending elections in 2026.
Original Source: kenyanwallstreet.com
