Escalating Conflict in South Sudan: Urgent Calls for Resolution
South Sudan is experiencing intensified conflict between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, with significant government arrests and a UN helicopter attack. The evolving situation threatens the 2018 peace agreement and is potentially influenced by the conflict in neighboring Sudan, impacting South Sudan’s economy and stability. Calls for immediate conflict resolution and national dialogue are growing as the country approaches its first elections in 2026.
Intense friction between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar has escalated, prompting calls from regional and international entities for resolution. Recently, South Sudan’s security forces conducted high-profile arrests involving government officials, including those from the ministries of petroleum and peace building. Reports indicate that Machar’s residence in Juba was surrounded by government troops, creating an atmosphere of heightened tension.
A tragic incident unfolded when a United Nations helicopter on a rescue mission was shot down, resulting in several military officials’ demise, including a general. President Kiir classified the attack as an “assassination.” This ongoing conflict, which began in February, is perceived by human rights organizations as linked to disarmament efforts in multiple states, including Upper Nile and Western Bahr el-Ghazal.
Moussa Faki, the outgoing African Union Commission Chair, urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities, calling for adherence to ceasefire agreements and a resumption of national dialogue among conflicting parties. Since February, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have clashed with the White Army in Upper Nile State, with the government alleging ties between the White Army and Machar’s party, SPLM-IO.
Amid these developments, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, a military spokesperson, encouraged former opposition officers incorporated into the military to resume duty, as many had retreated to safety due to fears of government crackdowns. The 2018 peace accord reconciling Kiir and Machar, reinstating Machar as First Vice President, is now significantly threatened, with reports suggesting that senior military officials loyal to Machar also face house arrest.
Numerous conditions from the 2018 agreement remain unfulfilled, such as military integration and the establishment of a new constitution. Analysts speculate that the resurgence of violence may be influenced by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has obstructed oil flow and subsequently strained South Sudan’s economy.
President Kiir and Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s Sovereign Council chairman, recently addressed bilateral concerns, including security challenges. Khartoum accused Juba of insufficient action against the RSF recruiting within its territory, while Juba countered that the White Army has affiliations with both SPLM-IO and the Sudanese Army. Notably, South Sudan is scheduled to conduct its first elections in December 2026, marking over a decade since achieving independence.
Escalating tensions in South Sudan, highlighted by government arrests and violent incidents, threaten the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement between President Kiir and First Vice President Machar. Both domestic turmoil and regional influences, notably the conflict in Sudan, exacerbate this instability. As efforts toward resolving conflict continue, the path forward towards elections in December 2026 remains uncertain, underscoring the urgent need for dialogue and effective governance.
Original Source: kenyanwallstreet.com
