The United Nations has raised alarms over South Sudan’s deteriorating political climate, which is edging the country towards another civil conflict. The concerns were expressed by the senior U.N. representative in South Sudan, who urged the country’s leadership to prioritize the nation’s stability over personal interests.
The grim scenario came into focus after the government abruptly delayed the latest peace negotiations intended to sustain the fragile stability achieved following the 2018 peace treaty. This treaty was crucial in forming a unity government between President Salva Kiir and his adversary turned vice-president, Riek Machar. The primary obstacle, per the U.N. official, is the mutual distrust between Kiir and Machar, hampering the advancement toward a peaceful resolution.
Having achieved independence from the north in 2011, hopes were high for South Sudan’s future. Yet, it wasn’t long before ethnic tensions between Kiir’s Dinka supporters and Machar’s Nuer loyalists plunged the nation into chaos in December 2013. The resulting civil war claimed more than 400,000 lives before a peace agreement was finally brokered in 2018. While elections were initially slated for early 2023, they have faced continuous delays, now rescheduled for 2026.
Recent unrest primarily springs from the volatile northern regions, where governmental forces face opposition from a militia called the White Army, believed to be affiliated with Machar. This unrest evidenced itself tragically when a U.N. helicopter facilitating the evacuation of government soldiers from Nasir was attacked, leading to fatalities including a South Sudanese general. The escalating hostilities saw the White Army seize a military facility in Nasir, which prompted government forces to surround Machar’s residence in Juba, rounding up several of his allies.
As elections near and political tensions intensify, the U.N. envoy highlighted the necessity for stronger leadership from both Kiir and Machar to activate the peace agreement effectively. The proliferation of misinformation and incendiary rhetoric exacerbates ethnic tensions and fears within the country, further destabilizing the fragile peace.
The U.N. strongly believes the only path forward to avoid a regression into open conflict, similar to past devastations, is enhanced diplomatic endeavors. As such, the U.N., alongside African Union and international partners, is working rigorously to mediate peace talks. They emphasize the necessity for dialogue to replace military action, adherence to ceasefires, and the release of incarcerated officials as imperative steps towards reconciliation.
These diplomatic efforts are vital in staving off a fresh ethnic transformation of South Sudan’s conflict, something the U.N. regards as a significant threat to the nation’s stability and future peace. The path forward lies in resolving differences through conversation and coalescing around the shared goal of a peaceful, democratic South Sudan.