South Sudan’s Minister of Information, Michael Makuei Lueth, claims the country is stable, but this is contradicted by the UN and other assessments indicating a significant decline in security due to internal conflicts and militia activity. A recent attack on UN personnel, the deployment of Ugandan special forces, and a U.S. travel advisory highlight the severity of the situation. The International Crisis Group warns of a potential resurgence of civil war.
Michael Makuei Lueth, South Sudan’s information minister, has dismissed concerns about the nation’s instability, claiming they stem from rumors and social media. However, this assertion contradicts various evaluations indicating significant unrest within the region.
The United Nations has reported a marked decline in South Sudan’s stability. Rising tensions primarily arise from internal conflicts between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, exacerbating the fragile state of the 2018 peace agreement that ended the civil war. Fighting continues in areas like Upper Nile and Nasir.
On March 7, a U.N. helicopter evacuating South Sudanese troops was attacked, leading to the deaths of U.N. personnel and several soldiers, including a high-ranking general. This incident underscores the continuing violence and pervasive risks faced by personnel in South Sudan.
In response to the escalating unrest, the Ugandan government has deployed special forces to help stabilize the situation in Juba. The involvement of foreign troops illustrates the gravity of the crisis, suggesting the situation has reached a critical point.
Militia activity has also escalated, notably the “White Army” militia, which overran an army base in Nasir on March 4, killing soldiers and seizing control of the city. This incident signals an alarming trend of increased militia unrest, raising fears of a potential return to civil war. Simultaneously, political tensions between Kiir and Machar remain high, resulting in the arrest of generals affiliated with Machar.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for South Sudan, indicating significant dangers and advising Americans not to travel to the country. Nonessential personnel have been ordered to leave due to persistent armed conflict.
The International Crisis Group has expressed that “tensions are running dangerously high in South Sudan,” warning that if the ongoing militia conflicts and political instability are not addressed, renewed civil war may ensue. The previous civil war between 2013 and 2018 resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities.
In summary, Lueth’s assertion of calm is contrary to substantial evidence indicating a deteriorating security situation in South Sudan. International assessments reveal an environment fraught with violence, political instability, and the looming threat of civil war, corroborated by the presence of foreign military assistance and dire travel advisories.
In conclusion, the portrayal of a calm situation in South Sudan by Minister Lueth is misleading. Multiple international assessments highlight a swiftly worsening security climate, characterized by violence, political strain, and militia activities. The involvement of foreign military forces and stringent U.S. travel advisories further emphasize the dire and escalating crisis in the region.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
