Michael Makuei Lueth, South Sudan’s information minister, has dismissed concerns about instability in the nation, claiming fears are fueled by rumors. However, reports from the United Nations and the International Crisis Group, along with recent militia attacks, provide a contrasting view, highlighting a deteriorating security situation. The deployment of Ugandan forces and a U.S. travel advisory further underscore these concerns.
Michael Makuei Lueth, the information minister of South Sudan, has dismissed concerns over the nation’s instability, attributing fears to rumors and social media. However, this assertion is contradicted by significant events and independent evaluations from various sources.
The United Nations has reported a serious deterioration in South Sudan’s situation, citing escalating internal conflicts particularly between the factions of President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The U.N. also noted the fragile status of the 2018 peace agreement, as violence continues in regions like Upper Nile and Nasir.
A recent attack on March 7 targeted a U.N. helicopter, which was evacuating South Sudanese troops. This attack resulted in casualties among U.N. personnel and South Sudanese soldiers, including a senior general. It underscores the evident violence and risks faced by those serving in the country.
In response to the growing instability, the Ugandan military has dispatched special forces to assist in securing Juba. Such foreign military involvement typically indicates that a situation has escalated to a critical level, reflecting the severity of the unrest.
On March 4, the White Army militia, aligned with Riek Machar, seized control of an army base in Nasir, killing soldiers. This event exemplifies a larger trend of militia activity, raising fears of a resurgence of civil war amid high political tensions, including the arrests of generals linked to Machar.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for South Sudan, indicating a greater risk of life-threatening danger and advising Americans against travel due to armed conflict. Nonessential personnel have been ordered to evacuate, emphasizing the perilous conditions in the country.
The International Crisis Group has expressed that “Tensions are running dangerously high in South Sudan,” citing concerns over a potential renewal of civil war as the White Army takes strategic locations like Nasir. Furthermore, fighting in Upper Nile may extend into neighboring regions, including Sudan, due to its volatility.
Given the context of the previous civil war, which claimed approximately 400,000 lives between 2013 and 2018, the current situation demands serious attention.
Lueth’s assertion that there is no impending danger and that the situation is under control is misleading. Independent assessments indicate a rapidly worsening security landscape characterized by increased violence and political instability, with a looming threat of renewed civil war. The involvement of foreign military forces and the U.S. advisory further highlight the urgent and escalating crisis within South Sudan.
In conclusion, the claims of stability made by South Sudan’s information minister are starkly contradicted by independent reports and assessments of the situation in the country. Escalating violence, political tensions, and the involvement of foreign military forces all point towards a deteriorating security environment. Furthermore, international advisories emphasize the critical nature of the crisis, reinforcing concerns about the potential for renewed civil war.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
