Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh urges dialogue to resolve violence in South Sudan. He highlights the urgent need to prevent escalation amid ongoing conflicts involving President Kiir and Vice President Machar. The U.N. raises concerns over attacks and human rights amidst deteriorating stability and peace agreements.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged factions in South Sudan to engage in dialogue to curb escalating violence in the country, which is facing instability. He emphasized the immediate need for peaceful solutions amid ongoing conflict involving President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, leading to significant violence and displacement of thousands.
In a recent phone call, President Mohamud expressed solidarity with South Sudan’s citizens and committed Somalia to aiding peace efforts. “Today, I spoke with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Riek Machar about the security situation in South Sudan,” he stated, underscoring the importance of dialogue in resolving conflicts feeding into the armed tensions across several states.
Amid escalating tensions, the U.S. State Department has ordered the departure of nonemergency personnel from Juba due to ongoing fighting and accessible weapons in the area. The situation saw multiple government officials linked to Machar arrested during unrest triggered by the White Army, although they were later released.
The detentions have been linked to the fragile peace agreement established in 2018 after a prolonged civil war, which has been marked by mutual suspicion between Kiir and Machar. As tensions mount, troop presence around Machar’s residence has intensified concerns regarding the stability of the agreement.
A recent attack on a U.N. helicopter further exacerbated the security landscape, with human rights bodies labeling the incident a potential war crime. The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned that current violence and rising tensions are jeopardizing the hard-earned peace progress, calling on leaders to refocus on upholding human rights and facilitating a shift to democracy.
Yasmin Sooka, the commission’s chairperson, remarked, “We are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress. Rather than fueling division and conflict, leaders must urgently refocus on the peace process, uphold the human rights of South Sudanese citizens, and ensure a smooth transition to democracy.”
In summary, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called for dialogue among South Sudan’s warring factions to prevent escalation and ensure stability. The ongoing tensions have led to violence, displacement, and governmental arrests, jeopardizing the existing peace agreement. The international community, including the U.N., has expressed grave concerns regarding the implications of continued conflict on human rights and democratic transitions in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
