The United Nations has issued a stark warning that South Sudan is teetering on the edge of a renewed civil war as violence between rival factions intensifies, displacing tens of thousands and raising fears of a descent back into widespread conflict, Al Jazeera reports.
Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), described the situation in the country as “dire” on Monday, citing escalating tensions between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those allied with Vice President Riek Machar.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, has been plagued by instability since gaining independence in 2011. A bloody civil war erupted shortly after, pitting Kiir’s ethnic Dinka loyalists against Machar’s Nuer supporters. Over 40,000 people were killed before a 2018 peace agreement brought the two leaders together in a government of national unity.
However, the fragile peace is now threatened. Recent events have fueled the escalating crisis, including an attack in early March by the White Army, a militia believed to be allied with Machar, on a military base in Nasir County, Upper Nile state. In response, South Sudanese soldiers surrounded Machar’s residence in Juba, the capital, and arrested several of his allies.
Haysom also reported that the military has been conducting aerial strikes targeting communities across the Upper Nile region, exacerbating the already volatile situation. He further cautioned that deep-seated mistrust between Kiir and Machar regarding adherence to the terms of the peace deal remains a major obstacle to lasting stability.
The UN official emphasized that negotiations for a lasting peace would only be possible if Kiir and Machar “put the interests of their people ahead of their own.” He also warned of the dangers of disinformation and hate speech, which are fueling ethnic divisions and inciting violence.
The already postponed elections, initially scheduled for 2023, have been pushed back again to 2026, further prolonging the period of uncertainty and contributing to the growing tensions in the country.
