Clashes in South Sudan have displaced 50,000 since February, with U.S. and European embassies offering to mediate between President Kiir and VP Machar. Continued violence threatens a fragile peace deal from 2018, with humanitarian crises worsening alongside the conflict.
Clashes between rival factions in South Sudan have led to the displacement of approximately 50,000 individuals since February. These confrontations primarily involve forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, raising concerns that South Sudan may revert to civil war. Recently, over 20 associates of Machar, including senior officials, have been detained by the government amid escalating tensions.
According to Anita Kiki Gbeho from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the violence exacerbates the vulnerability of affected communities and suspends essential humanitarian services. In response to the ongoing crisis, a coalition of Western embassies, including the U.S. and the European Union, has offered to mediate discussions between the two leaders to foster dialogue.
An airstrike carried out by the South Sudanese government in Nasir County resulted in the deaths of at least 20 civilians, including children, prompting further unrest. As OCHA reported, around 10,000 displaced individuals have sought refuge in Ethiopia, and 23 humanitarian workers were compelled to evacuate the area, leading to the closure of a cholera treatment unit.
Nicholas Haysom, the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), warned of the imminent risk of civil war, echoing the dire situation in neighboring Sudan, where rapid escalation resulted in severe turmoil. Haysom emphasized the urgent need for all parties to de-escalate tensions to prevent a repeat of conflict.
The fighting jeopardizes the peace deal established in 2018, which aimed to resolve the civil war that claimed approximately 400,000 lives. Kiir’s supporters have accused Machar’s forces of collaborating with the White Army, a militia comprised of youths from the Nuer ethnic group, leading to increased hostilities. Recent skirmishes have left survivors in precarious situations, unable to return to secure areas, raising further alarm among international observers.
The ongoing violence in South Sudan has led to significant civilian displacement and risks a return to civil war. International mediation efforts may provide a pathway to peace, but immediate de-escalation is critical to prevent further humanitarian crises and uphold the fragile agreements in place. Continued monitoring and support from foreign entities will be necessary to sustain peace efforts in the region.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
