World leaders must speak in a voice to prevent a new civil war in South Sudan
UN (AP) – The chief director of the United Nations urged regional and international leaders on Friday to prevent South Sudan from falling into another civil war “crossing the abyss” and to speak in a voice to support the return to peace.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that one of the world's newest and poorest countries was facing a “security emergency” that intensified the conflict and “political unrest” and was eventually arrested by First Vice Vice President Riek Machar.
“At the same time, the racial and political targeting of security forces – coupled with the spread of misinformation on social media – makes the fuse worse,” he warned. “Don't let our words: what we're seeing is reminiscent of the civil war in 2013 and 2016, killing 400,000 people.”
The Civil War ended with a 2018 peace agreement that brought Dinka ethnic Salva Kiir and one ethnic Nuer Machar in a solidarity government that was supposed to delay national elections in December 2026.
But tensions have been increasing between the parties of Kiel and Machar, who escalated in March, when white armed groups loyal to Machar were at military bases at Upper Nile State University and attacked UN helicopters. The government responded with a deadly air strike.
Guterres urged South Sudan leaders to “end the politics of confrontation”, restore the state's solidarity government and release detained military and civilian officials.
“I also urge the regional and international community to support the peace process with a voice and to oppose any attempt to undermine it,” he said.
Guterres said he spoke with the African Union Commission chairman on Friday morning and announced UN support for a five-member smart team, as well as a special envoy from Kenyan President William Ruto seeks a diplomatic solution from Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
The head of the United Nations said the wise team and Kenya's envoy, Raila Odinga, will visit Kiir and Machar.
Former Kenyan Prime Minister Odinga was in Juba on Friday. But it is not clear whether he will be able to meet Machar.
South Sudan’s Information Minister Michael Makuei said in a statement Friday that Machar was arrested pending an investigation into subversive activities.
He said Machar was arrested to maintain stability and prevent the country from retreating into conflict, adding that the Peace Chans with Machar still existed.
“The agreement has not collapsed yet,” Makui said.
But Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, the country's main opposition vice-chairman, led by Machar, “has repealed the 2018 agreement.” He said Machar's arrest showed a lack of political goodwill to achieve peace and stability.
Guterres stressed that the United Nations wants to see Odinga’s visit and the visits of the smart team have produced “the effect we want.”
“The impact we want is to re-establish peace agreements and the creation of peace conditions in South Sudan,” he said.
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Associated Press reporter Deng Machol contributed to the report in Juba, South Sudan.
