UNMISS Chief Nicholas Haysom warns that South Sudan is on the verge of returning to civil war, undermining the peace gains made since the 2018 agreement. Escalating tensions, particularly after the Nasir barracks takeover, and rampant hate speech heighten concerns for conflict. Haysom urges immediate action, dialogue, and adherence to peace agreements to stabilize the region and prevent a return to violence.
UNMISS Chief Nicholas Haysom warned that South Sudan is nearing a return to civil war, potentially undermining peace established by the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. While addressing the African Union Peace and Security Council, he called for unified action to de-escalate tensions. He stressed, “South Sudan is poised on the brink of relapse into civil war, which threatens to erase the hard-won peace gains since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement in 2018.”
Tensions have escalated since the White Army’s takeover of the Nasir barracks in Upper Nile, leading to the arrest of several senior SPLA/IO officials and civil unrest in Juba. Haysom noted that airstrikes on Nasir have resulted in civilian casualties and highlighted the rise of hate speech, which could fuel ethnic conflict. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining the peace process and mechanisms to avert collapse.
While welcoming the IGAD Extraordinary Summit on March 12 aimed at de-escalation, he pointed out the need for dialogue and trust-building among conflicting parties. He praised President Kiir’s commitment to preventing war but urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the Revitalized Agreement. Haysom stressed that the Council should push for adherence to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and facilitate constructive dialogues among leaders.
He also advocated for the release of detained officials and emphasized dialogue as an alternative to military confrontation amid the Nasir tensions. Haysom proposed the establishment of a Ministerial-level sub-committee to support peace initiatives and stressed the importance of neighboring countries in promoting stability. He warned against echoing Sudan’s conflicts, insisting that consensus-based decision-making is crucial to conflict resolution.
The UNMISS Chief reiterated that immediate action is essential to de-escalate political tensions and that adherence to the Revitalized Agreement is the only way out of conflict. He concluded that the region must prevent another conflict, stressing: “The overriding imperative now is to direct all our efforts to prevent a relapse into war, support the full implementation of the agreement, and progress the transition towards the country’s first democratic elections.”
Nicholas Haysom, the UNMISS Chief, has raised alarms regarding the possibility of South Sudan returning to civil war, stressing that the progress achieved since the 2018 peace agreement is at serious risk. Key actions include initiating dialogue among involved parties, releasing detainees, and preventing military actions. Urging a collective effort to maintain peace, Haysom emphasized the critical role of regional cooperation to avert impending conflict and ensure democratic progression in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
