South Sudan is nearing a civil war as violence spikes and political tensions rise, with UNMISS reporting alarming attacks on civilians and ethnic strife. Diplomatic efforts are faltering, and officials urge immediate commitment to peace to avoid catastrophe.
South Sudan stands on the brink of civil war as violence surges and political instability deepens, according to UNMISS head Nicholas Haysom. Speaking via videoconference from Juba, he reported alarming incidents including attacks on civilians, mass displacement, and increasing ethnic tensions. Haysom urged all relevant parties to halt the escalation and prioritize peace to avoid another catastrophic conflict.
Established as an independent nation in 2011, South Sudan has continually stumbled through unrest. Civil war ignited in 2013 between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and his rival, former Vice President Riek Machar. Despite achieving a tenuous peace deal in 2018, persistent implementation delays and political grievances have lingered beneath the surface, maintaining a frail peace.
The latest spate of violence began on March 4 when youth militia known as the White Army stormed South Sudanese army positions in Nasir, Upper Nile province. The government responded with airstrikes that struck civilian areas, deploying barrel bombs reportedly filled with highly flammable materials. Haysom indicated that these indiscriminate attacks have led to numerous casualties and severe burn injuries among civilians, particularly women and children, forcing at least 63,000 to flee.
As both the White Army and national forces prepare for further clashes, reports have emerged of child recruitment practices within armed groups. Compounding the unrest, the government’s request for foreign military support has stirred memories of previous civil wars in the nation.
Amid escalating violence, political turmoil is also apparent. Haysom noted reports of high-ranking members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) facing removal, detention, or forced disappearance. Meanwhile, spreading misinformation and hate speech are deepening ethnic divides and complicating any possible reconciliation.
With these developments, Haysom stated, “we are left with no other conclusion but to assess that South Sudan is teetering on the edge of a relapse into civil war.” To counteract this trajectory, UNMISS has pursued serious diplomatic efforts with international partners, including the African Union and IGAD. However, a planned high-level visit by IGAD ministers aimed at mediation was unexpectedly canceled by the South Sudanese government, further complicating the situation.
Haysom emphasized the urgency for South Sudan’s leadership to recommit to the 2018 peace deal, maintain ceasefire agreements, engage in dialogue over military action, and address key grievances. He specifically called for a meeting between Kiir and Machar to publicly reassert their commitment to peace.
UN officials warn that South Sudan is on the verge of civil war due to escalating violence and deep-rooted political strife. Current hostilities include indiscriminate attacks on civilians, mass displacements, and ethnic tensions—all exacerbated by misinformation and political maneuvering. Diplomatic efforts face hindrances, but officials stress that immediate recommitment to peace is crucial to avert further devastation.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
