The youngest nation in the world again faces the threat of war.
This month a United Nations Helicopter was attacked During an evacuation mission in a remote area in South Sudan, with a member of its murdered crew and two other serious injuries. The flight rescued wounded government soldiers who had faced an armed group in the state of the Nile Upper Nil in the north -East. One day later, the United States said that all non -emergency government employees in the country were eliminating, citing safety threats.
The attack emphasized the trembling stability of the nation of East Africa, almost a decade and a half after gaining independence in the midst of hope and fanfare. The last clashes and previous political tensions have regional observers fearing the collapse of a peace agreement, which was agreed seven years ago.
This is what to know.
Who fights?
The main parties involved in the last clashes are the Southern National Army, Sudanese, under the government of President Salva Kiir, and a force of opposition known as the White Army, which is believed to be allied with Vice President Riek Machar.
Mr. Kiir and Mr. Machar directed both sides at the Civil War war, which broke out in 2013, ending with a Fragile Peace Agreement in 2018. The agreement demilitated the capital, Juba, moved to ensure that both parties shared profits from oil exports and returned Mr. Machar as vice president.
Still, deep political and ethnic tensions they have enduredAs well as the militias and factions armed with loyalty. Clashes are frequently characterized by interethnic violenceEspecially among the ethnic groups of Nuer of Mr. Kiir and nuer of Mr. Machar. Recurring violence has precipitated large -scale displacement, has fallen into a free economic fall and has sharply increased the price of food and fuel.
What caused the last climb?
Mr. Machar’s political coalition has accused the government to guide their allies in February, including launching a large -scale operation against their supporters in the state of the Nile Upper. At least 22 political and military leaders allied with Mr Machar have been arrestedWith the whereabouts of some of them still unknown, he has said Human Rights Watch.
In early March the Government accused the white army to attack and capture a military garrison in the northern city of Nasir along the border with Ethiopia. Juba authorities responded by arresting several of Mr. Machar’s allies, including the Deputy Director of the Army, General Gabriel Duop Lam, and Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol.
The United Nations Helicopter in Upper Nile was under fire on March 7, despite Safe passage insuranceAccording to the head of the South Sudan Mission of the United Nations, Nicholas Haysom. In addition to a member of the helicopter crew, the attack left several dead military, including a general, according to the United Nations.
Recent tensions have jeopardized the delicate government of collapsing, and opposition groups describe the arrests as a sign of Mr. Kiir’s reluctance to honor the peace agreement and his determination to maintain control over the country’s political landscape. The presidential election, now scheduled for next year, have been repeatedly delayed, causing frustration between opposition factions.
« South Sudan is an important climb of falling into a new civil war, » said Alan Boswell, director of the Horn of Africa of the International Crisis Group. « If the government collapses or ethnic violence on a large scale, the country could be fragmented. »
Have US help cuts affected the situation?
The cuts in North -American aid already have a terrible impact on the humanitarian situation in South Sudan. The United States spent $ 760 million on programsIncluding emerging and health food assistance, in the country in 2023.
Help groups say that the lack of humanitarian aid makes food insecurity worse and that the cessation of health programs can spread diseases such as cholera, malaria and tuberculosis even more. In January, United Nations said This violence, the bureaucratic impediments and the cash extortion of their contractors were preventing effective delivery of the aid, including in the state of the upper Nile.
What role does uganda play?
Uganda said last week their special forces had deployed to Juba to « secure » the southern -Sudanese capital. The Ugandan military chief said in a Publication of social networks May his nation recognize Mr. Kiir as the only president of the country.
« Any movement against him is a declaration of war against Uganda, » he added, adding: « All those who commit this crime will learn what it means. »
Juba officials have not publicly confirmed the presence of troops. But the parliamentary caucus of the Ugandan Governor Party approved the deployment, describing -— as An « necessary intervention for the application of peace to protect life, restore stability and prevent greater escalation from the conflict ».
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has deployed troops in South Sudan several times in the past to propose the government of Mr. Kiir. Yusuf Serunkum, a researcher and scholar of the Makerere de Uganda University, said that the reports of a decrease in the health of Mr. Kiir meant that he needed further support Mr. Museveni. (The South South Presidency has repeatedly denied the claims that Mr. Kiir has health problems.)
According to the observers, a civil war in the neighboring Sudan who has killed tens of thousands and displaced many more, has interrupted southern oil exports -Sudan, limiting Mr. Kiir’s ability to fund his patronage network.
« Salva Kiir has accused Riek Machar of planning to demolish him in a coup, an old accusation since the founding of the country, » said Mr. Serunkuma. But with the Ugandan deployment, he added: « They will probably hold the status quo. »
Regional observers care about Ugandan deployment and a possible collapse of the state could converge The war in the north in Sudan and swallow the region in a later conflict.
What happens after?
The United Nations and the regional bodies have called on South-Sudanese leaders to score the crisis and resolve problems through dialogue. Leaders of Intergovernmental Authority of Eight Nations on Development Call last week For the release of detained officials « unless credible tests require legal procedures. »
The United Nations Human Rights Commission in the south of the south also said That all parties have to work to make the necessary changes to complete a transition period before the election, including the revision of the Constitution.
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