IGAD will hold a virtual summit on March 12, 2025, to address rising tensions in South Sudan amid renewed violence. The summit aims to foster dialogue and peace, following recent clashes and arrests impacting the country’s instability.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is organizing an extraordinary summit to discuss escalating tensions in South Sudan. Scheduled for March 12, 2025, the session will take place virtually and is a response to renewed violence in the nation, as announced in a Monday statement.
IGAD, composed of eight member states including Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda, is responsible for upholding South Sudan’s 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (R-ARCSS). The current chair is President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti.
In the statement, IGAD reaffirmed its dedication to fostering dialogue, de-escalating tensions, and ensuring a peaceful future for South Sudan’s populace. This summit follows violent clashes last week in Nasir, where the White Army, an improvised armed faction, took control of a military barracks.
President Kiir’s faction alleged that the White Army has connections to First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM-IO. Additionally, violence intensified when a U.N. helicopter, tasked with evacuating SSPDF soldiers, was attacked, resulting in casualties including an army commander and a U.N. crew member.
These disturbances occurred shortly after the arrest of a deputy army chief and a minister affiliated with Machar, provoking the SPLM-IO to denounce the detentions as a serious infringement of the 2018 peace agreement. This accord, which marked the end of a five-year civil conflict, has encountered numerous hurdles, particularly regarding the establishment of a unified military force.
In conclusion, the upcoming IGAD summit aims to address the critical situation in South Sudan amid escalating violence and political strife. The commitment to dialogue and peace remains central to IGAD’s mission, particularly in light of recent conflicts involving the White Army and the controversial arrests of key political figures. The ongoing challenges related to the implementation of the peace agreement underscore the urgent need for cohesive efforts to achieve stability in the region.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
