Latest news with #RevitalisedAgreementontheResolutionoftheConflict
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson & the Deputy Executive Secretary (ES) of Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), H.E. @MAWareSO expressed their strong solidarity with the Government & people of South Sudan
During a joint mission to the Republic of South Sudan, the Chairperson of the AU Commission H.E. @ymahmoudali ,&the Deputy ES of IGAD, H.E. @MAWareSO expressed their strong solidarity with the Government&people of South Sudan. In a high-level meeting with H.E. President Salva Kiir&members of the cabinet, the Chairperson&the Deputy Executive Secretary, commended the ongoing efforts to implement the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). They encouraged all stakeholders to sustain momentum towards inclusive peace, national reconciliation,&long-term development. The AU&IGAD reaffirmed their commitment to supporting South Sudan's journey towards lasting stability and prosperity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
Daily Maverick
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Tensions escalate in South Sudan as Kiir's power moves threaten fragile peace and national unity
As a guarantor of the peace agreement, the African Union must urgently take action to de-escalate political tensions. On 26 March 2025, security personnel led by South Sudan's defence minister and national security chief entered First Vice-President Riek Machar's home, disarmed and removed his security detail, and placed him under house arrest. The catalyst was his alleged role in recent skirmishes between the Dinka-dominated South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Nuer militia White Army. These erupted in early March, reportedly triggered by a disagreement over a long overdue rotation of the SSPDF's soldiers in Nasir garrison. Information Minister Michael Makuei said the arrests were directed by President Salva Kiir to prevent attacks on government installations and safeguard the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. The government also arrested several influential opposition ministers and high-ranking military officers from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition. Airstrikes were authorised in Nasir County and around Juba, and some opposition members have gone into hiding. National tensions have been rising, with unilateral reshuffles in the transitional government of national unity, including at vice-president level. The reshuffles are allegedly linked to Kiir's attempt to orchestrate his succession outside the revitalised agreement. This reveals deep mistrust between the country's two leaders and contravenes the 2018 peace agreement. Complete collapse Given the African Union's (AU) prior investment in stabilising South Sudan, swift action is imperative to prevent a complete collapse. This requires a clear understanding of the causes and implications of the evolving crisis, and the immediate options available to the Peace and Security Council. The violence in Nasir and other areas is a continuation of intermittent violence, institutional fragility, intense political divisions and exclusionary politics that have characterised South Sudan since independence in 2011. Due to longstanding mistrust between Kiir and Machar, neither has unified their armed groups into one national force. This mistrust has fuelled secondary fears tied to the uncertainty of elections and attempts to neutralise holdout groups and influential government figures through mediation and reshuffling. While both leaders are central to national disagreements, conflicts affecting several payams, counties and states overlay national politics, creating a complex interplay between state and national dynamics. In Nasir, national disputes shaped county decisions and snowballed into a pretext to reconfigure transitional government relationships. Similarly, the struggle to maintain the country's patronage infrastructure in the army and body politic remains deep seated. Some interpret Kiir's repeated cabinet reshuffles as counterproductive efforts to assert control over the transitional government amid waning financial leverage and a failing economy. The economic downturn is associated with the sharp decline in oil revenues caused by years of financial mismanagement and Sudan's civil war. Oil accounts for 90% of South Sudan's revenue, and disruptions reduced daily production by about 68% between December 2024 and January 2025. This has undermined political leaders' efforts to sustain patronage and command the loyalty of their armed factions. The integrity and sustainability of the revitalised agreement power-sharing arrangement depend on dialogue among the parties. However, Kiir's unilateral decision making creates the perception that he is consolidating power or preparing for a transition that excludes the opposition and others. The divisions that follow each dismissal have intensified tensions, leading to repeated extensions of the transitional timeframe. Ethnic tensions The recent Nasir violence highlights the failure to even minimally implement the revitalised agreement and its milestones, and has reinforced the ongoing economic distress and mistrust amid ethnic tensions. This has brought the country to a crossroads with various possible outcomes, two of which stand out. First, and most likely, the SSPDF, its associated militia, and armed groups such as the White Army, become entrenched in their positions, attracting additional actors on all sides. Since the Nasir outbreak, all factions have sought revenge for their losses, reinforcing their positions or protecting themselves from perceived threats. This outcome is supported by the ongoing aerial and ground campaigns against the opposition in parts of the country, particularly outside Juba and in Upper Nile. This is evident in government officials' increasingly aggressive rhetoric, the postponement of an Intergovernmental Authority on Development ministers' visit, and the engagement of ethnic groups such as the Shilluk and Equatorias. This outcome could see the collapse of the already precarious peace process. Even the Tumaini high-level process, which was intended to advance the revitalised agreement, is now in limbo. The less likely second scenario is that Machar and some of his lieutenants receive a conditional release, which could lead to an improved but still tense situation. Taban Deng Gai, the vice-president responsible for infrastructure, has advised Machar — while he awaits investigation and trial — to renounce the White Army and allow the government to integrate opposition forces into the SSPDF. However, this would essentially amount to Machar's surrender — and is improbable, as renouncing the White Army would alienate the opposition leader from the Nuer community. Such events would undermine Machar and create opportunities for Kiir's chosen transition actors to dominate the political scene. The degree to which Kiir continues to limit Machar's power will depend largely on Machar's influence in preventing the ascent of Kiir's preferred successors. At the crossroads of these two scenarios is a slim window to salvage the peace process. However, it will become increasingly difficult to address the complex dynamics, including South Sudan's military agreement with Uganda, which may extend beyond the AU Panel of the Wise's scope. Possible escalation In light of possible escalation, the AU — as a revitalised agreement guarantor — must act fast to support ongoing regional de-escalation measures. In addition to Peace and Security Council meetings and calling for the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee of Five on South Sudan to support Intergovernmental Authority on Development efforts, the AU could create a contact group with the authority to focus on day-to-day de-escalation measures. A start would be establishing what happened in Nasir and who is responsible. The Peace and Security Council should try to secure the release not just of Machar but all opposition officials who have been arbitrarily detained. The officials should also be reinstated in the structures outlined by the revitalised agreement. These actions are vital to maintain the integrity of the power-sharing agreement. Delayed regional and continental engagement could see violence worsen and the window to salvage the peace process closing further. DM
Al Jazeera
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
South Sudan arrests key Machar allies as army surrounds his house
South Sudanese forces have arrested the petroleum minister and several senior military officials allied with First Vice President Riek Machar as soldiers surrounded his home in the capital, Juba. Deputy army chief, General Gabriel Duop Lam, a Machar loyalist, was held on Tuesday, while Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol was arrested on Wednesday alongside his bodyguards and family. No reason was given for the arrests, which came after an armed group allied to Machar overran an army base in the country's northern Upper Nile state. Machar, whose political rivalry with President Salva Kiir has in the past exploded into civil war, said last month that the firing of several of his allies from posts in the government threatened a 2018 peace deal between him and Kiir. The deal had ended a five-year civil war in which more than 400,000 people were killed. Water Minister Pal Mai Deng, spokesman for Machar's SPLM-IO party, said Lam's arrest 'puts the entire peace agreement at risk'. 'This action violates the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and cripples the Joint Defence Board, a vital institution of the Agreement responsible for the command and control of all forces. This act puts the entire agreement at risk,' the statement by Deng said. 'We are also gravely concerned about the heavy deployment of SSPDF [South Sudan army troops] around the residence of … Machar,' he wrote. 'These actions erode confidence and trust among the parties.' Another Machar spokesman, Puok Both Baluang, said other senior military officials allied with Machar have been placed under house arrest. 'As of now, there's not any reason provided to us that led to the arrest or the detention of [these] officials,' Baluang told the Reuters news agency. Major-General Lul Ruai Koang, the South Sudan army spokesperson, said in a statement late on Tuesday that he would not comment on the arrest or the troops surrounding Machar's residence. The civil war that broke out in December 2013 after Kiir sacked Machar also drove more than 2.5 million people from their homes and left almost half the nation of 11 million struggling to find enough food. The tensions appear to have been sparked by growing concern over unrest in Upper Nile. The SSPDF has accused Lam and his troops of working with the so-called White Army rebels in the region, who are predominantly from the same ethnic Nuer community. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan last month reported increased fighting between the army and 'armed youth' in Nasir County in Upper Nile, involving 'heavy weaponry which has, reportedly, resulted in deaths and injuries to civilians as well as armed personnel'. The civil war began just two years after South Sudan became independent from Sudan. The country remains mired in poverty and violence.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Sudan vice president's spokesman says deputy head of military arrested, risking peace deal
NAIROBI (Reuters) - South Sudanese forces have arrested a senior military official allied with First Vice President Riek Machar, and deployed troops around Machar's residence, risking a 2018 peace deal that ended a civil war, his spokesperson said. South Sudan has formally been at peace since the 2018 agreement ended a five-year conflict between Machar and President Salva Kiir that killed hundreds of thousands of people, but violence between rival communities flares up frequently. On Tuesday, General Paul Nang, the head of South Sudan's defence forces, arrested one of his deputies, Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, while security forces surrounded Machar's residence, Machar's spokesperson Pal Mai Deng said in a statement late on Tuesday. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "This action violates the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and cripples the Joint Defence Board, a vital institution of the Agreement responsible for the command and control of all forces. This act puts the entire agreement at risk," the statement said. "We are also gravely concerned about the heavy deployment of SSPDF (South Sudan army troops) around the residence of... Machar," he wrote. "These actions erode confidence and trust among the parties." Deng did not give a reason for Lam's arrest. Major General Lul Ruai Koang, the South Sudan army spokesperson, said in a statement late on Tuesday he would not comment on the arrest or the troops surrounding Machar's residence. Information Minister Michael Makuei did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The civil war that broke out in December 2013 after Kiir sacked Machar killed an estimated 400,000 people, drove more than 2.5 million people from their homes and left almost half the nation of 11 million struggling to find enough food. Oil production, a vital revenue source for the impoverished nation, also dropped. In July 2016, forces loyal to Kiir and Machar fought each other for about five days in the capital with anti-aircraft guns, attack helicopters and tanks, with both leaders denying responsibility for starting the violence and calling for calm while it continued. (Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Ammu Kannampilly and Gerry Doyle)
Al Arabiya
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
South Sudan VP's spokesman says deputy head of military arrested, risking peace deal
South Sudanese forces have arrested a senior military official allied with First Vice President Riek Machar, and deployed troops around Machar's residence, risking a 2018 peace deal that ended a civil war, his spokesperson said. South Sudan has formally been at peace since the 2018 agreement ended a five-year conflict between Machar and President Salva Kiir that killed hundreds of thousands of people, but violence between rival communities flares up frequently. On Tuesday, General Paul Nang, the head of South Sudan's defense forces, arrested one of his deputies, Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, while security forces surrounded Machar's residence, Machar's spokesperson Pal Mai Deng said in a statement late on Tuesday. 'This action violates the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and cripples the Joint Defense Board, a vital institution of the Agreement responsible for the command and control of all forces. This act puts the entire agreement at risk,' the statement said. 'We are also gravely concerned about the heavy deployment of SSPDF (South Sudan army troops) around the residence of... Machar,' he wrote. 'These actions erode confidence and trust among the parties.' Deng did not give a reason for Lam's arrest. Major General Lul Ruai Koang, the South Sudan army spokesperson, said in a statement late on Tuesday he would not comment on the arrest or the troops surrounding Machar's residence. Information Minister Michael Makuei did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The civil war that broke out in December 2013 after Kiir sacked Machar killed an estimated 400,000 people, drove more than 2.5 million people from their homes and left almost half the nation of 11 million struggling to find enough food. Oil production, a vital revenue source for the impoverished nation, also dropped. In July 2016, forces loyal to Kiir and Machar fought each other for about five days in the capital with anti-aircraft guns, attack helicopters and tanks, with both leaders denying responsibility for starting the violence and calling for calm while it continued.
