Title: UN Warns South Sudan on Brink of Collapse as Violence Escalates
The recent arrest of First Vice President and opposition leader Riek Machar, along with intensifying violence and reported attacks on civilians, marks a significant setback in South Sudan’s fragile peace process and poses an imminent threat to millions, UN rights experts have warned.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is “deeply concerned” about the deteriorating situation, according to spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, who said Thursday that the latest developments bring South Sudan dangerously close to renewed civil war and could unravel the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. A more detailed statement from the Secretary-General is expected soon.
Rising Violence and Civilian Harm
Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, said that the crisis stems from a failure to protect civilians and honor commitments made under the peace deal.
“The deliberate targeting of opposition figures and civilians reflects a shocking disregard for international law and the country’s future,” Sooka stated.
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, descended into civil war just two years later when fighting broke out between forces aligned with President Salva Kiir and those loyal to Machar. The conflict caused immense human suffering and displacement. Though a 2018 peace accord led to the formation of a unity government, recent developments threaten to undermine years of progress.
The Commission reported a sharp increase in violence across several regions in the past month. In Upper Nile state, airstrikes have forced more than 60,000 people to flee their homes, following a March 7 attack on a UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) helicopter. In response to Machar’s arrest, UNMISS issued a statement urging restraint and a renewed commitment to the peace deal.
Worsening Situation and Foreign Involvement
The commission warned that if parties fail to uphold key provisions of the peace agreement—such as ensuring political freedom, allowing unrestricted movement, and maintaining a ceasefire—the result could be a return to all-out war.
“The Peace Agreement is not a suggestion. It is a binding framework,” said Sooka. “Political and military leaders undermining it are not only violating the law, but they are betraying the people of South Sudan, who have already paid a heavy price in previous conflicts.”
Compounding the crisis is the reported arrival of Ugandan troops and tanks in South Sudan, following a request from President Kiir. This foreign deployment raises serious concerns about potential breaches of the UN arms embargo and the risk of regional escalation.
“Instead of prioritizing civilian protection, we are seeing indiscriminate attacks, arbitrary detentions, and increased foreign involvement,” warned Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández.
Call for Renewed Commitment to Peace
The Commission emphasized that all parties involved in the conflict—including government forces, militias, and foreign troops—are bound by international human rights and humanitarian law. Violations, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, could result in prosecution by national or international courts.
“We cannot allow South Sudan to repeat past mistakes,” said Commissioner Barney Afako. “Unless immediate steps are taken to reduce political and military tensions, the consequences will be catastrophic.”
Afako outlined a clear path forward: recommitment to the peace agreement, release of political detainees, cessation of hostilities, and above all else, protection of civilians.
The Commission urged intensified diplomatic efforts by regional and international stakeholders, including the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations. These actors, they said, must work together to de-escalate the crisis and ensure full implementation of the peace accord.
As the situation rapidly deteriorates, the international community faces a critical juncture in ensuring South Sudan does not fall back into devastating conflict.
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