IGAD Heads of State Summit to Address South Sudan Crisis

The IGAD Heads of State will convene an extraordinary summit focused on the escalating civil war in South Sudan, specifically addressing tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar. The summit is scheduled for March 12, 2025, and will reinforce IGAD’s role in peace stabilization efforts, amidst fears of a full-scale conflict and recent arrests of military leaders in South Sudan.

The Heads of State from the eight member countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are convening to address the escalating civil conflict in South Sudan. The 43rd extraordinary summit, chaired by Djibouti President Israel Omar Guelleh, will focus on mitigating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, who leads the armed opposition. This summit is a pivotal move in response to South Sudan’s precarious situation, which is nearing full-scale conflict.

Scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the summit will feature prominent leaders, including Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, William Ruto of Kenya, Abdel Fattah al-Bruhan of Sudan, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud of Somalia, Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The meeting aims to reinforce IGAD’s role as the guarantor of South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement establishing a government of national unity.

According to the IGAD secretariat, “IGAD, as the guarantor of the Revitalised Agreement (R-ARCSS), remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting dialogue, de-escalating tensions, and securing a peaceful future for the people of South Sudan.” Previously, IGAD facilitated a peace agreement in 2015, which ultimately failed due to renewed hostilities between Kiir and Machar in 2016 and the subsequent 2018 agreement that sought to revive peace efforts.

However, recent developments in Juba and Nasir are threatening the stability of the region. The U.S. Department of State has reported ongoing armed conflict in South Sudan, highlighting the availability of weapons and the continuing violence stemming from political and ethnic rivalries, including cattle raids.

Notably, the South Sudan Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, alongside Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang, has been detained by the military. This situation continues to underscore the fragility of peace and the urgent need for dialogue to prevent further deterioration of conditions in South Sudan.

In conclusion, the upcoming IGAD summit represents a critical effort to address the escalating crisis in South Sudan and underscores the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region. With leaders from various countries participating, there is a concerted effort to promote dialogue and mitigate tensions between conflicting factions. The fragility of previous agreements highlights the necessity for renewed commitment and action to secure a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Original Source: chimpreports.com