South Sudan has launched air strikes against rebels in Nasir County amid rising tensions threatening the peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The bombardment resulted in multiple civilian casualties, while increased hostilities with the White Army militia raise concerns about the country’s stability. The United Nations has expressed alarm over the deteriorating situation, coupled with the confirmed presence of Ugandan forces in Juba.
On Monday, South Sudan reported conducting air strikes on rebel positions in Nasir County amidst escalating hostilities between government forces and opposition groups. This increase in violence poses significant concerns for the sustainability of the peace-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth confirmed that the air force executed the bombardment as part of ongoing security operations in the region. He acknowledged the possibility of civilian casualties but indicated that there was little the government could do in such cases. Reports from local sources indicated that over 20 individuals, including children, were reportedly killed during the attacks.
The ongoing clashes in Nasir County have heightened tensions between the rival forces of Kiir and Machar, jeopardizing the 2018 peace agreement that concluded a devastating five-year civil war, claiming nearly 400,000 lives. The government has accused Machar’s forces of collaborating with the White Army, a militia comprised of young armed members from the Nuer ethnic group, which has contributed to the violence in the area.
Earlier this month, tensions escalated when approximately 6,000 White Army fighters seized control of a military base in Nasir. The situation deteriorated further following a failed rescue attempt by the United Nations, resulting in the fatalities of both a UN helicopter pilot and a senior South Sudanese general.
Minister Lueth also confirmed the presence of Ugandan forces in the capital, Juba, under a military agreement, contradicting earlier denials of their deployment. Ugandan Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba acknowledged that special forces were in Juba to ensure security.
The escalating conflict in South Sudan has prompted international alarm, with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warning of a troubling regression that threatens to reverse years of fragile stability in the nation.
In conclusion, South Sudan’s recent air strikes against rebel positions have intensified hostilities, raising grave concerns about the peace agreement between the government and opposition. With increasing casualties and international scrutiny, the unrest signifies a potential unraveling of the political stability achieved since the civil war. The involvement of foreign forces further complicates the situation, highlighting the fragile state of security in South Sudan.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
