IGAD Chief Calls for Restraint and Dialogue Amid Rising Tensions in South Sudan
Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, has called for restraint and dialogue in South Sudan due to escalating tensions and clashes in Nasir County. He expressed concerns regarding the risks to the R-ARCSS and emphasized the need for peace and civilian protection. IGAD plans to send a high-level delegation to assess the situation and engage with the government to promote stability and reconciliation.
The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Workneh Gebeyehu, has urged for restraint and dialogue to mitigate escalating tensions in South Sudan. He expressed his profound concern regarding the armed clashes in Nasir County, indicating that such developments threaten the achievements made through the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Gebeyehu emphasized the necessity for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and reaffirm their commitment to the R-ARCSS. He proposed that dialogue and reconciliation are critical to realizing peace, urging for the protection of civilians and regional stability.
In a proactive response, IGAD has resolved to send a high-level delegation to assess the current situation and engage with the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity to discuss measures for restoring calm and promoting the peace process.
The IGAD, as a guarantor of the revitalised peace agreement, reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the full implementation of the R-ARCSS. Clashes in mid-February involved the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and armed civilian groups in Nasir County, exacerbated by the government’s plan to rotate stationed troops, resulting in over 20 casualties on the outskirts of Nasir, near the South Sudan-Ethiopia border.
IGAD is determined to address these tensions through the forthcoming high-level delegation, which aims to restore tranquility and advance peace efforts in the region.
In conclusion, the call from IGAD’s Executive Secretary for restraint and dialogue highlights the urgent need to address the rising tensions in South Sudan. As clashes threaten the progress made by the R-ARCSS, the commitment to peace and civilian protection remains paramount. The deployment of a high-level IGAD delegation signifies a proactive approach to restoring stability and promoting dialogue among conflicting parties.
Original Source: ommcomnews.com
