SPLM-IO Party Suspends Role in South Sudan Peace Process Amid Rising Tensions
The SPLM-IO party in South Sudan has partially withdrawn from the peace process due to escalating tensions between its leader Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir, exacerbated by recent clashes and arrest of officials. The party demands the release of detained members before continuing participation in the peace agreement. Displacements due to conflict have surged, raising concerns about the potential for renewed civil war bolstered by external tensions from Sudan.
South Sudan’s SPLM-IO party announced on Tuesday its partial withdrawal from the peace process established by the 2018 agreement, as tensions between its leader, Riek Machar, and President Salva Kiir have intensified amid recent clashes and arrests. This agreement was designed to conclude a five-year civil war, but deteriorating relations have posed a significant threat.
This month, security forces detained multiple SPLM-IO officials, including key figures such as the petroleum minister and the army’s deputy head, following a military withdrawal influenced by the White Army militia near Nasir, bordering Ethiopia. The government’s accusations of SPLM-IO’s links with this ethnic militia have been firmly denied by the party.
Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, deputy chairman of the SPLM-IO, stated that participation in security matters pertaining to the peace process would halt until the detained officials are freed. He emphasized the seriousness of ongoing political maneuvers, asserting that they jeopardize the core of the peace deal.
The conflict surrounding Nasir has reportedly displaced approximately 50,000 individuals since late February, with around 10,000 seeking refuge in Ethiopia, according to the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Anita Kiki Gbeho.
Nicholas Haysom, the UN peacekeeping chief, expressed concern that South Sudan is on the brink of reverting to civil war. He noted that rampant hate speech, fueled by misinformation, poses risks of escalating ethnic conflict. Furthermore, the war in neighboring Sudan has exacerbated the situation, with increased regional tensions and the influx of arms potentially destabilizing the peace process further.
In summary, the SPLM-IO’s decision to suspend its participation in security arrangements signals a critical juncture in South Sudan’s peace efforts, further complicated by recent detentions and clashes. The humanitarian crisis, marked by large-scale displacements, underscores the volatile environment. Warnings from UN officials and analysts highlight the potential for renewed ethnic conflict, especially in light of influences from the ongoing Sudanese conflict.
Original Source: www.thestar.com.my
