Urgent Intervention Needed to Prevent Resurgence of Conflict in South Sudan
Nicholas Haysom, as the Head of UNMISS, addressed the AU Peace and Security Council on March 18, 2025, warning that South Sudan faces a potential civil war, jeopardizing the hard-won peace achieved since the 2018 Revitalized Agreement. He advocated for immediate measures to de-escalate tensions, emphasizing the necessity of dialogue among parties and support for the peace process to prevent conflict recurrence.
On March 18, 2025, Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), addressed the African Union Peace and Security Council, expressing grave concerns over the potential resurgence of civil war in South Sudan. The risks to the fragile peace established by the Revitalized Agreement in 2018 necessitate immediate and collective intervention from international partners.
Recent events, including the takeover of the Nasir barracks by the White Army on March 4, have heightened tensions across the nation. The government has arrested several senior military officials, and some individuals have been compelled to go into hiding or flee the country. Confirmations of foreign military deployments and civilian casualties from airstrikes underscore the precarious security situation, compounded by rampant misinformation and hate speech that threaten to escalate ethnic tensions.
Haysom emphasized the importance of maintaining and revitalizing the peace process, which is nearing collapse. He commended the recent IGAD Extraordinary Summit for advocating for de-escalation and reaffirmed the necessity to uphold the Revitalized Agreement. Over the past week, Haysom has collaborated with key stakeholders and representatives from IGAD and the African Union to promote dialogue and trust-building among the parties.
While recognizing President Kiir’s assurances against a return to war, Haysom called for decisive actions to implement the Revitalized Agreement effectively. He urged the council to encourage all parties to recommit to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, foster constructive meetings between leaders, facilitate the release of detained officials, and resolve tensions in Nasir through dialogue instead of military action.
Haysom reiterated the significant role of neighboring states in ensuring peace and stability in South Sudan and advocated for intervention by the AU C5 and the Panel of the Wise in mediating dialogues among South Sudanese leaders. He highlighted the urgency of avoiding conflict, as demonstrated by the situation in Sudan, advocating for a return to consensus-based governance and addressing grievances to rebuild mutual trust.
The overarching objective remains the prevention of renewed war, full implementation of the peace agreement, and progression towards democratic elections in South Sudan. Haysom concluded by stating that the region cannot withstand another conflict, urging immediate de-escalation of political tensions to navigate the country away from war.
In conclusion, Nicholas Haysom’s address to the African Union Peace and Security Council outlined significant concerns regarding the risk of renewed conflict in South Sudan. Immediate action is essential to support the peace process, uphold the Revitalized Agreement, and promote dialogue among political leaders. Preventing further escalation is imperative to ensure stability and progress towards democratic governance in the region. Haysom’s call for unity and dialogue serves as a crucial reminder of the collaborative efforts required to secure lasting peace in South Sudan.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
