South Sudan’s government has ordered civilians to leave northern regions amid escalating violence between armed factions and government troops, risking the fragile peace Accord of 2018. Information Minister Makuei Lueth confirmed military action following recent attacks by the White Army, with civilian casualties reported. The dismissal of Machar-loyal officials by President Kiir has intensified tension, leading to significant concerns over the peace agreement’s future.
On Monday, South Sudan’s government urged civilians to evacuate from a northern region following military actions against an armed group responsible for an attack on a military base and a United Nations helicopter. This escalation of violence in Nasir County poses a significant threat to a 2018 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and his rival, Vice President Riek Machar, which concluded a devastating five-year civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth warned the media that civilians who refuse to vacate designated military zones risk facing military consequences. Lueth confirmed that the army conducted an air strike in Nasir County on Sunday evening and plans to carry out further operations. Local reports indicate that the bombing resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen civilians, although the army did not acknowledge these casualties.
Clashes have intensified in Nasir County between government forces and the White Army, an armed faction believed to have ties to Machar. Recent actions by President Kiir, including the dismissal of officials loyal to Machar, have heightened tensions, with Machar asserting that these unilateral decisions could jeopardize the 2018 peace accord. Earlier this month, government troops reportedly surrounded Machar’s residence in the capital, Juba.
The situation in South Sudan remains precarious as escalating violence threatens the fragile peace established by the 2018 accord. Government actions against the White Army and the growing tensions between President Kiir and Vice President Machar underscore the complexities of the ongoing conflict. The humanitarian implications for civilians in the affected areas are severe, necessitating immediate attention and action from the international community.
Original Source: morningstaronline.co.uk
