IGAD has demanded the release of officials linked to Riek Machar to safeguard South Sudan’s peace agreement amid rising tensions following recent violent clashes. The bloc emphasized the importance of dialogue and reform to maintain stability while condemning ongoing ceasefire violations.
On Wednesday, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) urged the immediate release of officials associated with South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar. The regional bloc cautioned that their detention could endanger the fragile peace agreement as tensions rise following violent clashes in Upper Nile State.
After an emergency summit led by Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, IGAD called on President Salva Kiir’s administration to release any detainees unless there is credible evidence warranting their legal prosecution. The communiqué refrained from naming those arrested but highlighted how these actions have disrupted the security mechanisms established by the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS), which concluded a five-year civil war.
The call for release came after clashes on March 7-8 in Nasir County between troops loyal to both Kiir and Machar, which resulted in fatalities, including the death of South Sudanese army commander Gen Majur Duk and a United Nations staff member. Following this, Kiir’s government detained prominent Machar allies, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and other senior military figures.
IGAD condemned the violence and mandated the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to investigate both the clashes and an assault on a UN helicopter. Additionally, IGAD indicated plans to send a ministerial delegation to Juba to evaluate stalled peace talks and promote inclusive dialogue.
The 2018 peace agreement has encountered various challenges, including delayed elections, unmet security reforms, and ongoing distrust between Kiir’s and Machar’s factions. Despite recognizing their unified call for calm in the aftermath of violence, IGAD expressed deep concern regarding ceasefire violations and emphasized the need for fast-tracking the unification of armed forces and the drafting of a permanent constitution.
IGAD supported regional mediation initiatives, like Kenya’s Tumaini Initiative, intended to involve non-signatory groups, while also calling on religious and civil society leaders to facilitate reconciliation. Observers, including Ugandan officials, attended the summit, with representatives from the UN and African Union advocating for coordinated international assistance.
IGAD underscored that South Sudan’s stability is contingent upon the execution of overdue reforms and affirmed that dialogue remains the sole effective method for resolving disputes. Although the bloc did not enumerate specific consequences for non-compliance, it indicated plans for ongoing high-level engagement to prevent a return to conflict.
South Sudanese observer Edmund Yakani characterized the summit’s outcomes as encouraging yet charged the country’s leaders with taking immediate action to fulfill delayed peace commitments. He posited that the IGAD summit holds potential to revitalize South Sudan’s peace process, contingent on adherence to constitutional and peace agreement obligations. Yakani emphasized that a severe trust deficit among the leadership is the principal barrier to achieving necessary reforms and transitional processes, enabling destabilizing elements to hinder efforts.
The IGAD’s call for the release of Riek Machar’s allies reflects its commitment to maintaining South Sudan’s fragile peace amidst rising tensions. By urging adherence to the 2018 peace agreement and enhancing the dialogue process, IGAD aims to address the issues of distrust and delayed reforms. The summit results underscore the urgency for South Sudan’s leadership to act decisively toward stability and reconciliation.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
