Kenyan President William Ruto has urged South Sudan’s leaders to engage in dialogue to address increasing violence that threatens the country’s peace agreement from a previous civil war. Recent clashes in Upper Nile State have heightened tensions, leading to arrests of senior SPLM/A-IO officials and raising concerns about the stability of the region. Ruto emphasized ongoing regional consultations to find solutions for the crisis.
The situation in South Sudan remains precarious as President William Ruto of Kenya has made an urgent appeal for dialogue among the nation’s leaders to mitigate ongoing clashes. This appeal follows an alarming escalation in violence that risks undermining the peace agreement established after a protracted five-year civil war. President Ruto engaged in discussions with President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, urging them to seek peaceful resolution through dialogue, as regional efforts continue to stabilize the country.
Ruto, who also chairs the East African Community, emphasized the need for regional consultations to navigate the current turmoil. The recent fighting, particularly in Upper Nile State involving the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and armed groups known as the White Army, has heightened tensions, especially in the capital city, Juba. Thus far, over 20 fatalities have been reported amidst escalating hostilities surrounding the strategic town of Nasir, which now bears the scars of conflict and has become largely deserted.
In recent developments, tensions have escalated with the arrest of several senior officials associated with Machar’s faction, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO). These arrests came amid accusations from Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth, who stated that certain officials were incarcerated for legal infractions, implicating Machar’s group in assaults against government forces in Nasir.
Moreover, Machar has voiced his concerns regarding the dismissal of his allies, which he argues jeopardizes the fragile peace treaty that was brokered in 2018. The continuous challenges in consolidating armed factions into a unified national army have further complicated the peace process.
In summary, the current situation in South Sudan necessitates prompt dialogue among its leaders to avert further violence and uphold the peace agreement. President Ruto’s calls for unity and regional intervention reflect a crucial step toward resolving the escalating tensions, especially given the recent violence and political arrests that threaten the fragile peace established in 2018. The path forward remains contingent on the successful negotiation between rival factions to foster enduring stability.
Original Source: www.thestatesman.com
