In South Sudan, violence has displaced over 50,000 people since February, putting the fragile peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice President Machar at risk. The UN warns the nation is on the brink of a civil war relapse while humanitarian efforts are severely challenged by conflict and funding issues.
Recent clashes in South Sudan have resulted in the displacement of over 50,000 individuals since February, as reported by a UN agency. This escalation of violence mainly involves forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar in the northeastern Upper Nile State, threatening the fragile peace agreement established between the two leaders.
Anita Kiki Gbeho from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the ongoing violence increases risks for vulnerable communities and jeopardizes essential services. This includes the suspension of life-saving efforts amid rising conflict, as seen in the recent airstrike in Nasir County, which killed at least 20, including children.
OCHA has confirmed that 10,000 displaced individuals fled to Ethiopia, alongside 23 humanitarian workers who abandoned the region. Furthermore, the cholera treatment unit in Nasir has been closed due to violence. Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), warned that the country stands on the edge of a civil war relapse, emphasizing that the situation could deteriorate like in neighboring Sudan.
Amidst this crisis, Doctors Without Borders reported 1,300 cholera cases in Akobo County. Relief efforts are hampered by significant funding cuts from the USAID, affecting necessary medical supplies and staff availability. Concerned medical workers indicated that they are overwhelmed by patient volumes without adequate resources, which leads to a hopeless situation for many affected individuals.
The renewed fighting poses a significant threat to the 2018 peace agreement between Kiir and Machar, after a five-year civil war that claimed approximately 400,000 lives. Tensions escalated when 6,000 combatants from the White Army attacked a military base in Nasir, which resulted in tragic losses during a UN rescue attempt.
Clashes in South Sudan have led to massive displacement and threaten the country’s tenuous peace. Urgent humanitarian efforts are hindered by violence and funding shortages, exacerbating health crises like cholera. With significant conflict risk looming, the international community must act swiftly to facilitate de-escalation and protect vulnerable populations.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
