Rising Tensions and the Threat of Renewed Conflict in South Sudan
The political situation in South Sudan is tense following the arrest of opposition leaders and army generals allied with Riek Machar. Violence in Nasir County has intensified, prompting a high-level presidential meeting to address security concerns. The arrests have raised fears of renewed conflict that could undermine peace and disrupt upcoming elections. Calls for dialogue and unity among leaders are critical to maintaining stability.
The political climate in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, has become increasingly tense following the arrests of several politicians and army generals associated with First Vice President Riek Machar. This development has raised concerns about the potential for renewed conflict within the nation, particularly as unrest persists in Nasir County, where ethnic tensions have led to violence.
The security situation in Upper Nile State, especially in Nasir County, has been volatile since mid-February due to confrontations between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the White Army, an armed group allied with Machar’s ethnic group, the Nuer. The violence intensified when the White Army launched an attack and captured Nasir Town on March 4.
In response to these escalating tensions, a high-level meeting was convened by President Salva Kiir on March 3, aimed at addressing security challenges in Nasir and other regions. Riek Machar’s recently submitted letter requested urgent dialogue to resolve the political impasse and security issues, highlighting the need for external mediation.
The meeting included prominent political leaders, who agreed to ensure the safe deployment of troops to Nasir County, aiming to replace existing forces. Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth emphasized the commitment to national unity, urging communities to support the movement of troops as a step towards peace.
Civil society representatives praised the meeting’s outcome, describing it as a constructive effort toward fostering unity and peace. The Presidency further appealed to citizens to refrain from disseminating provocative content on social media that could exacerbate tensions.
As the White Army’s advance and their assertion of control over Nasir heightened fears of unrest, the government proceeded to deploy additional military forces, including elements from the Agwelek militia. Local communities expressed concerns about the potential for civilian violence and advocated for the deployment of a unified force as stipulated in the 2018 peace agreement, rather than the current military composition.
Unrest has also arisen in Western Equatoria State following President Kiir’s unilateral removal of a SPLM-IO-affiliated governor. The situation worsened when government troops were attacked by the White Army while embarking on a mission to substitute long-stationed soldiers in Nasir.
The government’s crackdown on opposition leaders has intensified, culminating in numerous arrests of senior SPLA-IO officers and political figures. Experts noted that renewed hostilities between Kiir’s and Machar’s forces would significantly undermine the ongoing peace process and disrupt the forthcoming elections slated for December 2026.
Information Minister Lueth defended the arrests by asserting that they stemmed from legal conflicts. Conversely, the SPLM-IO condemned these detentions as breaches of the revitalized peace agreement, calling for the immediate release of detained leaders and urging collaborative efforts to end violence.
Daniel Akech Thiong, a senior analyst, highlighted the precarious state of peace in South Sudan, attributing increased tensions to external influences, particularly the conflict in neighboring Sudan. The disruption of oil exports due to the ongoing Sudanese conflict has also put further strain on South Sudan’s fragile economy.
The political instability in South Sudan, marked by recent arrests of opposition leaders and escalating violence in regions like Nasir County, highlights the fragility of the country’s ongoing peace process. With growing dissent and potential for renewed conflict, the situation remains precarious. There is an urgent need for dialogue among political leaders, community engagement, and adherence to peace agreements to avert further escalations and ensure the peaceful development of South Sudan.
Original Source: www.independent.co.ug
