Clashes in South Sudan have displaced 50,000 people since February, with ongoing tensions between President Kiir and Vice President Machar jeopardizing a power-sharing agreement. Western nations have offered mediation support as violence escalates, with humanitarian conditions worsening in affected areas.
Recent clashes in South Sudan have displaced over 50,000 individuals since February, as reported by the United Nations. The rising tensions stem from conflicts in the Upper Nile State between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, jeopardizing a fragile power-sharing agreement. These developments raise concerns over the potential for renewed civil war in the region.
More than 20 allies of Machar, including key government and military officials, have been detained in the past weeks. Anita Kiki Gbeho of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the ongoing violence exacerbates vulnerabilities in affected communities and necessitates the suspension of essential services.
A coalition of Western embassies, notably from the U.S. and the European Union, has urged for dialogue between President Kiir and Machar, expressing readiness to assist in facilitating discussions. An airstrike by the government in Nasir County, a Machar stronghold, resulted in at least 20 casualties, including children.
According to OCHA, approximately 10,000 displaced persons have fled to Ethiopia, and 23 humanitarian workers have had to evacuate the region. The closure of a cholera treatment facility in Nasir increases concerns over health risks in displaced populations.
Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), underscored that the country is on the brink of a potential relapse into civil war. He highlighted Sudan as a cautionary tale of rapid descent into catastrophic conflict, urging all parties to de-escalate tensions to prevent further violence.
The ongoing clashes in South Sudan have caused significant displacement and threaten the stability of the region. With the situation escalating, calls for dialogue from Western nations signify potential avenues for mediation. The risk of civil war looms large if tensions are not addressed promptly, as evidenced by ongoing humanitarian crises and regional instability.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
