South Sudan on the Brink: UNMISS Warns of Potential Return to Conflict
Nicholas Haysom, UNMISS Chief, warned that South Sudan risks returning to war due to recent tensions and military actions. He emphasized immediate collective intervention to preserve peace and denounced the rise of hate speech. Haysom urged support for the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and stressed the importance of dialogue and collaboration to avert conflict and implement the peace agreement successfully.
On Tuesday, Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, cautioned that South Sudan stands at risk of reverting to war, jeopardizing gains made since the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. Addressing the African Union Peace and Security Council, he emphasized the need for immediate collective action to prevent this regression. The political landscape remains tense following the White Army’s takeover of the Nasir barracks on March 4, leading to widespread arrests of military and civilian officials and rising tensions nationwide.
Haysom noted a concerning rise in misrepresentation and hate speech, which could intensify the conflict’s ethnic dimensions. He welcomed the IGAD Extraordinary Summit on March 12, which called for de-escalation, and reiterated the importance of preserving the peace process to stave off a collapse of the current mechanisms. Haysom urged the parties involved in the agreement to engage in dialogue to enhance trust and prevent a descent into civil war.
He commended President Kiir’s assurances against a return to war, emphasizing that tangible actions are necessary to uphold this promise. Haysom requested support from the Council to reinforce the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and urged a unified approach to address national unity and tensions constructively. He also called for the release of detained officials and highlighted the critical role of dialogue in mitigating escalating tensions.
Haysom underscored the influence of neighboring states in fostering peace, warning against the potential for cascading conflicts in the region, as evidenced by the situation in Sudan. He stressed that all parties must return to consensus through intensive dialogue, aimed at resolving grievances and restoring trust. The imperative remains to avert a relapse into conflict, support the full implementation of the revitalized agreement, and facilitate the transition to South Sudan’s first democratic elections.
Ultimately, ensuring peace stability in South Sudan is critical. The international community must prioritize efforts towards the implementation of peace mechanisms and work collaboratively to maintain the progress made since the revitalization of the peace agreement in 2018. Failure to do so could lead to dire consequences for the nation and the region.
In conclusion, Nicholas Haysom has articulated the urgent need for collective action to maintain peace in South Sudan. The deterioration of the political situation, spurred by recent military actions and rising tensions, underscores the importance of adhering to the revitalized peace agreement. To avert conflict relapse, dialogue and trust-building among the parties are paramount, alongside support from the international community to foster stability and initiate the democratic transition.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
