South Sudan’s fragile peace at risk as tensions escalate

The fragile power-sharing agreement in South Sudan is facing increasing strain amid fears of a resurgence of civil war, according to Africa News on March 10th.

Conflicts in the northeastern Upper Nile state between the allied forces of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Riek Machar have raised significant concerns for the UN Commission on Human Rights.

As reported by the travel advisory, the U.S. Department of State ordered, on March 8th, the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees from South Sudan. This comes as tensions rise and fears of combat continue to grow as thoughts of a civil war brew over the region.

Africa News also reported that this decision followed an attack on a United Nations helicopter conducting a rescue mission on March 7th, resulting in the death of one crew member and the wounding of two others. South Sudan also reported the casualty of an army general.

With weapons “readily available to the population,” tensions are easily escalated, further fuelling conflict. A level 4 ‘do not travel’ has been implemented replacing the previous travel advisory placed on July 31 2023.

Speaking on March 8th, the Chair of the Commission, Yasmin Sooka, warned that escalating tensions could undo “years of hard-won progress”—progress that had, until now, ended the country’s previous five-year civil war, which, according to Africa News, claimed an estimated 400,000 lives. The current increasing strain has the ability to reignite worry amongst not only the UN, but the South Sudanese government and civilians.

“What we are witnessing now is a return to the reckless power struggles that have devastated the country in the past,” said Commissioner Barney Afako.

Africa News