A major party in South Sudan’s government has withdrawn from peace talks due to rising tensions between its leader and President Kiir. Arrests of SPLM-IO officials amid conflicts, accusations regarding militia connections, and concerns over ethnic violence complicate the situation. Widespread displacement and regional instability further threaten the peace process.
On Tuesday, a significant political party within South Sudan’s coalition government announced its temporary withdrawal from a critical aspect of a 2018 peace agreement. This decision follows worsening tensions between Riek Machar, the leader of the SPLM-IO and First Vice President, and President Salva Kiir amid recent conflicts and arrests.
The peace agreement was instrumental in concluding a five-year conflict between Kiir’s and Machar’s factions. However, the relationship between Kiir and Machar has become increasingly strained, particularly since there have been recent clashes in eastern South Sudan.
In early February, security forces apprehended multiple SPLM-IO officials, including the petroleum minister and the deputy army chief, after the White Army militia compelled government troops to retreat from the town of Nasir near the Ethiopian border. The government has accused the SPLM-IO of maintaining ties with the White Army, which comprises primarily armed Nuer youths who previously allied with Machar in the 2013-2018 conflict against predominantly Dinka forces loyal to Kiir. The SPLM-IO has refuted these claims.
Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, the SPLM-IO’s deputy chairman, stated that the party would refrain from engaging in security measures related to the peace process until the detained officials were freed. He articulated that ongoing political persecutions jeopardized the stability and integrity of the peace agreement.
Fighting in Upper Nile has devastated local communities, displacing approximately 50,000 individuals since late February, with around 10,000 fleeing to Ethiopia, as reported by Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan.
Nicholas Haysom, South Sudan’s UN peacekeeping chief, expressed alarm over the potential relapse into civil war, highlighting the prevalence of misinformation and hate speech within the country. He stated that such an environment might exacerbate ethnic tensions, which could jeopardize peace efforts.
Analysts attribute part of the faltering peace process to the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan, leading to diminished oil revenues in South Sudan and heightening regional strife. Alan Boswell from the International Crisis Group warned of the risk of fighting spilling over from Sudan into South Sudan, particularly affecting Juba.
The situation in South Sudan is precarious, with a key political party suspending its role in the peace process amid rising tensions and conflicts. The potential for resurgence of civil war is exacerbated by rampant hate speech and misinformation. Furthermore, the regional implications of the Sudan conflict contribute to challenges in reinstating peace, highlighting an urgent need for resolution and humanitarian support.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
