Increased clashes in South Sudan have prompted IGAD to warn of a potential return to war, jeopardizing the 2018 peace deal. Tensions escalated after a UN helicopter was attacked, resulting in fatalities. The situation remains contentious, with the South Sudanese government maintaining calm, while the U.S. and Uganda take precautionary actions.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) warns that escalating clashes in South Sudan are bringing the nation close to renewed warfare. Recent violence involving President Salva Kiir’s and Vice President Riek Machar’s forces threatens the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement ending a five-year civil war.
Tensions escalated following a UN helicopter attack during an evacuation operation, which resulted in the death of a UN crew member and a South Sudanese general. Reports indicate that the situation worsened after a March 4 attack in Nasir, where around 6,000 members of the White Army militia, supporting Machar, captured a military base.
IGAD emphasizes that South Sudan is “balanced precariously between the promise of peace and the peril of conflict,” calling for an immediate de-escalation by all involved parties. The South Sudanese government has attempted to mitigate these fears by claiming the situation remains calm and secure, insisting the country is “open and safe for visitors, investors, and development partners.”
In contrast, the United States has ordered non-emergency staff to exit South Sudan due to ongoing armed conflicts, and Uganda has dispatched special forces to enhance security in the capital, Juba, despite South Sudanese officials denying their presence. As violence looms, regional and international stakeholders remain vigilant over the evolving situation.
The escalating conflict in South Sudan is drawing concern from the IGAD and international communities. While the South Sudanese government downplays the intensity of violence, the presence of armed militia and external interventions suggest potential destabilization. Continuous monitoring by regional and global actors is crucial to address and possibly prevent a return to full-scale war.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
