IGAD envoys urge end to armed violence in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State
The violence in Upper Nile State comes at a time when South Sudan is undergoing an extended transitional period, meant to implement key provisions of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) ambassadors in Juba, South Sudan, have called for an immediate end to armed violence in Upper Nile State, warning that the clashes threaten to derail peace efforts in the country.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the envoys expressed alarm over rising tensions and clashes in Nasir County, saying the situation jeopardises the gains made under the Revitalised Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS).
More To Read
- AU calls for ceasefire, dialogue in South Sudan amid increased violence in Nasir County
- US orders its non-emergency personnel to leave South Sudan
- General among dozens killed in attack on UN helicopter evacuation in South Sudan
- UN staff killed, others injured during attack on UN helicopter in Nasir, South Sudan
“We call upon all the parties and their affiliate groups to immediately cease hostilities and exercise maximum restraint,” the statement read.
The envoys stressed the importance of upholding the permanent ceasefire and encouraged dialogue within the framework of the R-ARCSS. They also welcomed the recent meeting of the presidency and its resolutions, urging further political engagement to prevent further conflict.
The violence in Upper Nile State comes at a time when South Sudan is undergoing an extended transitional period, meant to implement key provisions of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
However, delays in security sector reforms and the unification of forces have heightened tensions, prompting renewed concerns from both regional and international actors.
Significant loss of life
In a separate statement, the embassies of Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union also condemned the ongoing clashes, noting that they have resulted in significant loss of life.
“We join our IGAD counterparts in calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties and their affiliates to exercise maximum restraint. Juba-based leaders must demonstrate their commitment to peaceful dialogue and prioritise the interests of the South Sudanese people,” their statement read.
The political situation in Juba further escalated on Tuesday following the arrest of four senior SPLA-IO military officers and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chuol. The detained officers include Generals Gabriel Duop Lam, Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok, Wesley Welebe, and Ashhab Khamis Fahal.
Their arrests followed heightened tensions after the White Army, a local armed youth group, captured a South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) base in Nasir County. The government has accused the White Army of being allied with First Vice President Riek Machar’s SPLA-IO, a claim that the opposition has denied.
Government Information Minister Michael Makuei, a close ally of President Salva Kiir, defended the detentions, saying the individuals were arrested for legal reasons.
“They were arrested because they were in conflict with the law. There is no joke about that. What we need is security. If anybody is arrested, it is for a reason,” Makuei said.
President Kiir and Machar have been working to implement the 2018 peace agreement aimed at ending years of civil war. However, repeated delays in unifying armed groups into a national army and persistent clashes have raised concerns over the country’s long-term stability.
With growing pressure from IGAD and Western nations, stakeholders are now urging South Sudan’s leaders to demonstrate political will and ensure the country remains on the path to peace.
Top Stories Today
