The EU warns South Sudan leaders about the escalating security crisis following clashes in Nasir County. The call for immediate action aims to prevent a return to conflict, threatening the fragile 2018 peace agreement. Tensions are further exacerbated by a recent attack on a UN evacuation helicopter. EU Ambassador Timo Olkkonen stresses the need for effective peace mechanisms and greater responsibility from South Sudan’s leadership.
The European Union delegation in South Sudan has expressed deep concern regarding the escalating security issues within the country, particularly following violent incidents in Nasir County, Upper Nile. The EU has urged the leaders of South Sudan to seize immediate measures to avert a reversion to widespread conflict.
Rising tensions in Juba and surrounding regions pose a significant threat to the 2018 peace agreement made by President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Recent confrontations resulted in the detention of notable associates of Mr. Machar, including the petroleum minister and a deputy army chief.
President Kiir’s faction has alleged that the armed youth group known as the White Army in Nasir has associations with Mr. Machar’s SPLA-IO forces, which is firmly contested by Machar’s camp. In the wake of clashes, military forces encircled Mr. Machar’s residence in Juba, raising alarm among his supporters regarding the stability of the peace deal.
Tensions aggravated further when a United Nations helicopter, tasked with evacuating South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers, was shot at in Nasir. This incident resulted in the deaths of several individuals, including a commander and a UN crew member.
During a recent workshop organized by the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), EU Ambassador to South Sudan Timo Olkkonen stressed the critical necessity for peace mechanisms. He emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue among all parties to the peace agreement to maintain stability.
Mr. Olkkonen acknowledged varied interpretations of the ongoing events in Upper Nile but highlighted the necessity for South Sudan’s leaders to take initiative to thwart further conflict. He called for peace monitors, including CTSAMVM, to undertake a more proactive role in addressing ceasefire breaches.
The EU envoy reaffirmed that the responsibility to resolve differences lies with the South Sudanese leaders and that they must engage constructively to avoid relapsing into war. Furthermore, he characterized the situation in South Sudan as increasingly intricate, urging all partners for peace to intensify their efforts to maintain stability.
The European Union has issued a grave warning to South Sudan’s leaders emphasizing the necessity for immediate action to avert returning to war. The EU highlighted the critical role of dialogue, peace mechanisms, and proactive monitoring to ensure stability amid rising tensions. With complex challenges persisting, the commitment of South Sudan’s leaders to uphold the 2018 peace agreement is paramount for the nation’s future security and peace.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
