South Sudan’s fragile peace process is under significant threat as violence and political tensions escalate, a United Nations rights body warned on Saturday. The alarming deterioration comes in the wake of recent arrests of senior officials allied to Vice President Riek Machar, raising fears of renewed conflict in the world’s youngest nation.
Security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir arrested two ministers and several high-ranking military officials earlier this month, claiming that the individuals were in “conflict with the law.” Government spokesperson Michael Makuei alleged that Machar’s allies had collaborated with the White Army militia to attack a military garrison in the northern town of Nasir on March 4. The White Army, a loosely organized militia predominantly from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group, has been involved in heavy clashes with national forces in recent weeks.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan expressed deep concern over these developments. Yasmin Sooka, the commission’s chairperson, cautioned that the country is experiencing “an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress.” She urged South Sudanese leaders to prioritize the peace process and ensure a peaceful transition to democracy rather than fueling division and conflict.
Tensions escalated further on Friday when a South Sudanese general and dozens of soldiers were killed after a United Nations helicopter attempting to evacuate them from Nasir came under attack. The incident underscores the volatility of the situation and the increasing challenges faced by peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in the region.
The National Security Services intelligence agency confirmed the detention of several individuals linked to the ongoing military confrontations but did not disclose specific numbers or identities. Meanwhile, Machar’s party has denied any involvement in the alleged attacks, deepening the political standoff.
The recent wave of violence and arrests threatens to unravel the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a brutal five-year civil war that claimed nearly 400,000 lives. With South Sudan’s transition to democracy already behind schedule, international stakeholders are urging immediate de-escalation and dialogue to prevent further instability in the region.
