IGAD to Address Escalating Tensions in South Sudan in Virtual Summit

IGAD will hold a virtual summit on March 12, 2025, to discuss rising tensions in South Sudan due to recent violence and political conflicts. The summit will address incidents including clashes in Nasir, accusations involving key political figures, and the challenges hindering the peace agreement implementation.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is set to hold an extraordinary summit on March 12, 2025, to address the rising tensions in South Sudan. This summit will be conducted virtually and aims to provide a platform for discussing the escalating violence that has recently afflicted the nation.

IGAD comprises eight member states: Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda. It acts as a guarantor for the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (R-ARCSS) signed in 2018, and is currently chaired by President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti.

In their statement, IGAD reaffirmed its commitment to fostering dialogue and de-escalating violence to secure a peaceful coexistence for the people of South Sudan. This urgent meeting follows violent outbreaks in Nasir, where an armed group known as the White Army reportedly seized a military barracks.

Accusations have intensified as President Kiir’s faction links the White Army to First Vice President Riek Machar of the SPLM-IO. Furthermore, tensions peaked when a UN helicopter was fired upon during an evacuation, resulting in casualties including an army commander and a UN crew member.

These violent incidents were preceded by the arrest of a deputy army chief and a Machar-aligned minister, which the SPLM-IO denounced as a serious breach of the 2018 peace agreement. Despite the initial promise of peace following the five-year civil war, significant barriers to agreement implementation, particularly in creating a unified army, continue to hinder progress.

The upcoming IGAD summit is crucial for addressing the escalating violence and political tensions in South Sudan. With various parties accusing one another of violations that threaten the peace agreement, the role of IGAD as a mediator will be pivotal in fostering dialogue and finding a resolution. Continued commitment to the 2018 peace deal is essential for the stability of South Sudan.

Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org