The world’s youngest nation once again faces the threat of war.
This month the United Nations helicopter has been attacked During the evacuation mission in the remote area in southern Sudan, with one crew member and two people seriously injured. The flight was saved by wounded government soldiers who clashed with an armed group in the state of Gornje Nil in northeast. A day later, the United States said they were removing all the official government services from the country, citing security threats.
The attack emphasized the trembling stability of the East African nation, almost a decade and a half after gaining independence in the midst of hope and fanfar. The last conflicts and previous political tensions regional observers are afraid of the collapse of the Peace Agreement, which was agreed seven years ago.
Here’s what to know.
Who fights?
The main parties involved in the last conflicts are the National Army of South Sudan, under the Government of President Salva Kiir, and opposition force known as a white army, believed to be related to Vice -President Riek Machar.
Mr. Kiir and Mr. Machar led two warring sides of the Civil War who broke out in 2013, ending with Fragile peace agreement in 2018. The deal was demilitarized by the capital, Juba, moved to ensure that both sides were sharing earnings from oil exports and returning Mr. Machara as Vice President.
Yet deeply placed political and ethnic tension they enduredas well as militia and armed fraction with a change in loyalty. Conflicts are often characterized by inter -ethnic violenceEspecially between Nuer Ethnic groups of Mr. Kiir and Nuer of Mr. Machara’s ethnic groups. Repeating violence has settled a large scale displacement, inserting the earth into an economically free fall and has raised the price of food and fuel sharply.
What led to the latest escalation?
Mr. Machara’s political coalition has accused the government targeting their allies in February, including the launch of a major operation against their supporters in the state of Gornja Nil. At least 22 political and military leader associated with Mr. Machar were arrestedWith the accommodation of some of them still unknown, Human Rights Watch said.
In early March, the Government accused the white army The attack and capture of the military garrison in the northern city of Nasir along the border with Ethiopia. Authorities in Jubi responded with the arrest of several allies of Mr. Machara, including Deputy Chief of the Army, General Gabriel Duop Lam and Naphta Minister, Puot Kang Chol.
UN helicopter in Gornji Nilo came under the fire 7. March, despite Guarantees for a safe passageAccording to the head of the UN South Sudan, Nicholas Hays. In addition to members of the helicopter crew, the attack left several military officers, including the general, the United Nations said.
The latest tension of the sensitive government has been in danger of collapse, and the opposition groups describe the arrests as a sign of the reluctance of Mr. Kiir to pay tribute to the peace agreement and his determination to maintain control of the political landscape of the country. The presidential elections, which are now scheduled for next year, have been lately late, causing frustration among opposition fractions.
“South Sudan is one major escalation since entering a new civil war,” said Alan Boswell, director of Africa in the international crisis group. “If the Government collapses or a large -scale ethnic violence has erupted, the earth could fragment.”
Did they reduce help in the United States influenced the situation?
US Aid cuts already have a terrible impact on the humanitarian situation in southern Sudan. United States spent $ 760 million on programsincluding emergency food and health, in the country in 2023.
Assistance groups say that the lack of humanitarian aid is deteriorating food uncertainty, and the cessation of health programs can further spread diseases such as cholera, malaria and tuberculosis. In January, said united nations This violence, bureaucratic obstacles and monetary extortion of its performers interfered with effective assistance, including the state of Gornje Nil.
What role does Uganda play?
Uganda said last week his special forces had arranged in Juba “Secure” the capital of southern Sudan. Said the Uganda military chief of the UA Post on social media that his nation recognized Mr. Kiir as the only president of the country.
“Every move against him is a declaration of war against Uganda,” he said, adding, “All those who commit this crime will learn what that means.”
The officials in Juba did not publicly confirm the presence of the trunk. But the Parliamentary MP of the Ugandan Administration Uganda supported the deployment, describing him as “Required intervention for the implementation of peace to protect life, restore stability and prevent further conflict escalation.”
Longtime President Uganda, Yoweri Museevei, has touched the troops several times several times in southern Sudan to raise Mr. Kiir’s government. Yusuf Serunkuma, a researcher and scientist at the University of Makerers in Uganda, said that reports on the fall of Mr. Kiir’s health decline means that he needs more support from Mr. Museveni. (South Sudan Presidency has repeatedly denied claims that Mr. Kiir has health problems.)
The civil war in neighboring Sudan, who killed tens of thousands and displaced much more, also disturbed the export of oil in southern Sudan, limiting the ability of Mr. Kira to finance his network of patronage, observers say.
“Salva Kiir accused Riek Machara of planning to overthrow him in a coup – an old charge from the founding of the country,” Mr. Serunkuma said. But with the Uganda schedule, he added: “He will probably maintain the status quo.”
Regional observers are worried that Ugandic implementation and the possible collapse of the state could converge War in north in Sudan and spill the region in further conflicts.
What happens next?
The United Nations and Regional Bodies invited the leaders of South Sudan to deny the crisis and solve problems with dialogue. The leaders of the intervlawed authority to develop an eighth nation in development Invited last week For releasing detained officials “unless credible evidence requires legal procedure.”
UN Commission for Human Rights in Southern Sudan also said That all sides should work to execute the changes needed to complete the transitional period ahead of the election, including the overhaul of the Constitution.
