South Sudan President Salva Kiir declares state of emergency in Warrap, Unity states over rising insecurity
The decree empowers the government to deploy additional security forces and authorises "all necessary measures" to restore order in the conflict-hit areas.
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has declared a six-month state of emergency in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State, citing escalating insecurity and communal violence, Sudan Post reported.
The decree, announced through state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), empowers the government to deploy additional security forces and authorises "all necessary measures" to restore order in the conflict-hit areas.
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The declaration follows weeks of deadly intercommunal clashes, particularly in Tonj East County of Warrap, where an unspecified number of civilians were killed.
In Mayom County, authorities reported cross-border cattle raids by armed youth from neighbouring Warrap State.
Under South Sudan's Transitional Constitution, any presidential declaration of emergency must be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly within 15 days for approval.
However, with parliament currently in recess, it remains unclear whether lawmakers will convene to endorse the measure, which is already in effect.
The move effectively places Warrap and Mayom under lockdown, with expected restrictions on civilian movement.
It also underscores growing concerns about the resurgence of localised armed violence, which analysts warn could escalate into a broader national crisis.
On Thursday morning, military aircraft were observed conducting airstrikes in an apparent attempt to deter clashes between rival communities along the Warrap–Unity border.
This is not the first time Kiir has imposed such a measure in Warrap. A similar state of emergency was declared in 2017 following violence in Gogrial and parts of Tonj.
The latest emergency order comes amid mounting tensions across the country. Opposition leader Riek Machar remains under house arrest in Juba, and recent clashes between SPLA-IO forces and government troops in Upper Nile have raised fears of a return to full-scale civil war.
Analysts caution that the fragile 2018 peace deal is unravelling, with ethnic divisions deepening and trust among key political actors rapidly eroding.
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