UN Envoy Warns South Sudan on Brink of Renewed Civil War
South Sudan is at risk of renewed civil war, warns UN envoy Nicolas Haysom after the government’s postponement of peace talks. Post-independence hopes have dwindled due to civil conflict spurred by ethnic divisions. Escalating violence and misinformation threaten peace efforts, while the UN aims to facilitate dialogue between leaders to avert catastrophe.
The United Nations envoy to South Sudan, Nicolas Haysom, has expressed grave concerns regarding the potential for renewed civil war in the country following the government’s unexpected postponement of peace negotiations. He emphasized the necessity for President Salva Kiir and his rival, Vice President Riek Machar, to prioritize the well-being of their citizens over personal interests for any international efforts to succeed.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 with hopes for a peaceful future, yet entered into civil conflict in December 2013 due to ethnic tensions. The resulting war claimed over 40,000 lives before a 2018 peace agreement reinstated a government of national unity between Kiir and Machar. Elections scheduled for February 2023 have been postponed multiple times, now slated for 2026.
Recent clashes in northern South Sudan between government forces and the White Army militia, believed to support Machar, have heightened tensions. Notably, a UN helicopter was targeted during an evacuation mission, and subsequent actions by government troops against Machar’s allies have contributed to escalating violence.
Haysom indicated that rising political competition close to the revised election dates is exacerbating the conflict, while a pervasive climate of misinformation is intensifying ethnic divisions and fears. He warned that South Sudan appears to be on the brink of a return to civil war, reminiscent of the devastation experienced in previous years.
To avert this crisis, Haysom reported that the UN peacekeeping mission is actively engaging in shuttle diplomacy with both regional and international partners, urging Kiir and Machar to resolve their disputes, uphold the 2018 agreement, maintain the ceasefire, and employ dialogue over military action.
In conclusion, the situation in South Sudan remains precarious, with the potential for renewed civil war looming due to entrenched mistrust between its leaders and escalating violence linked to political tensions. The UN, through its peacekeeping efforts and shuttle diplomacy, seeks to encourage dialogue and adherence to peace agreements to foster stability and prevent a relapse into conflict that could lead to severe humanitarian consequences.
Original Source: halifax.citynews.ca
