IGAD to Convene Summit on South Sudan Amid Escalating Tensions

IGAD will hold a virtual summit on March 12, 2025, to address the escalating situation in South Sudan following recent violence threatening the peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. Concerns have arisen from military clashes and arrests of key officials, prompting calls for de-escalation and dialogue to secure a peaceful future.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will hold the 43rd Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government to discuss the current situation in South Sudan. The virtual summit is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2025. As the guarantor of the Revitalised Agreement (R-ARCSS), IGAD emphasizes its dedication to fostering dialogue, reducing tensions, and ensuring a peaceful future for the citizens of South Sudan.

Recent fighting has jeopardized the fragile peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. President Kiir has urged for calm, assuring the populace that the nation will not revert to conflict. An incident of increased tension occurred when a UN helicopter, engaged in evacuating national army personnel, was attacked, resulting in several fatalities, including a crew member.

Reports indicate that earlier this week, security forces arrested the deputy chief of the army and two ministers associated with Machar, which an opposition spokesperson condemned as a severe breach of the peace accord. These arrests were a response to violent confrontations in Upper Nile state, where government forces clashed with the White Army militia, which previously allied with Machar during the civil war.

South Sudan, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011, is the youngest nation in the world. However, a division between Kiir and Machar just two years post-independence led to a devastating civil war, resulting in over 400,000 deaths. While a power-sharing agreement in 2018 briefly mitigated the violence, many crucial aspects, such as a new constitution, elections, and the consolidation of various armed factions into a unified military, have yet to be realized. Sporadic violence among ethnic or local groups persists across various regions of the country.

The 43rd Extraordinary Summit convened by IGAD aims to address escalating conflicts in South Sudan, highlighting the fragile peace agreement between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. Recent violence and arrests have raised concerns over the implementation of the peace accord, amidst a tumultuous history of civil conflict. It is critical that the commitment to dialogue and peace remains at the forefront of efforts to stabilize the nation.

Original Source: www.kbc.co.ke