The EU warns South Sudan leaders of deteriorating security, urging immediate actions to prevent a return to conflict amid rising tensions and violence, particularly highlighted by recent clashes in Nasir County. EU Ambassador Timo Olkkonen stresses the importance of maintaining the 2018 peace agreement and calls for active peace monitoring.
The European Union (EU) delegation in South Sudan has issued a serious warning regarding the worsening security conditions in the country, particularly following recent violent incidents in Nasir County, Upper Nile. The EU urgently calls on South Sudan’s leadership to act decisively to avoid a resurgence of full-scale conflict following these events.
The recent clashes have raised concerns about the fragile 2018 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Increased tensions in Juba and other regions threaten this agreement, which concluded a prolonged five-year civil war. Last Tuesday’s violence in Nasir involved clashes between government forces and an armed group, resulting in the arrests of key associates of Mr. Machar, including the petroleum minister and a deputy army chief.
Accusations from President Kiir’s faction allege that the White Army, an armed youth group in Nasir, has connections to Mr. Machar’s SPLA-IO forces. These claims have been denied by representatives from Mr. Machar’s camp. In the aftermath of the clashes, military personnel encircled Mr. Machar’s residence in Juba without official clarification, prompting concerns from his supporters about the implications for the 2018 peace deal.
Tensions heightened further a few days later when a UN helicopter was attacked while evacuating South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) personnel in Nasir. Tragically, this assault resulted in multiple casualties, including that of an army commander and a UN crew member.
During a recent workshop facilitated by the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), EU Ambassador to South Sudan, Timo Olkkonen, asserted that there is an urgent necessity for peace mechanisms to foster dialogue among parties involved in the peace agreement. He remarked that “recent events in different parts of the country, particularly in Upper Nile, highlight the critical need for mechanisms that uphold peace and avoid unilateral actions.”
Mr. Olkkonen also acknowledged the various interpretations of the ongoing issues and stressed the responsibility of South Sudan’s leaders to mitigate further conflicts. He urged peace monitors like CTSAMVM to enhance their roles in managing ceasefire violations. He expressed, “…we hope that mechanisms such as CTSAMVM could be utilized in addressing these issues that are raising questions now about what part of it will happen.”
The ambassador emphasized that leaders involved in the 2018 peace accord must reconcile their differences to prevent renewed warfare. As violent incidents persist in Upper Nile and Western Equatoria, Mr. Olkkonen called for intensified efforts from peace partners to maintain stability in South Sudan. The EU continues to be a significant contributor to South Sudan, offering humanitarian, developmental, and economic assistance.
The European Union’s warning highlights the urgent need for South Sudan’s leaders to address escalating tensions and uphold the fragile peace agreement established in 2018. With ongoing violence threatening to relapse into war, particularly in Upper Nile, it is crucial for all parties involved to engage in peace-building measures and facilitate dialogue. The EU’s emphasis on the role of peace monitors and the necessity for responsible leadership is vital for ensuring stability in the region.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
