Escalation Threatens Fragile Stability
Fresh firefights between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and SPLM/A-IO units, reported in Jonglei, Unity and Eastern Equatoria, have jolted a nation used to relative calm since 2018.
The Center for Peace and Advocacy says the upsurge imperils the Revitalized Agreement, the backbone of the country’s political transition.
Renewed Violence in Jonglei and Beyond
Witness accounts mention joint White Army fighters backing opposition forces, reviving memories of earlier communal conflicts.
Local monitors have flagged civilian deaths, though exact figures remain contested amid limited access for humanitarian teams.
Risk to Civilians and Aid Access
CPA stresses that each skirmish shrinks humanitarian corridors, delaying food convoys already challenged by seasonal floods.
“Continued fighting erodes national and international confidence,” the group argues, warning donors could redirect funds if violence persists.
Calls for Ceasefire Compliance
Activists urge all combatants to recommit to the 2017 ceasefire and respect the Geneva Conventions.
CPA appeals to commanders to investigate alleged violations quickly and share findings with the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring body.
Dialogue over Force Remains Key
Observers contend that grievances around command integration and resource distribution demand political negotiation, not battlefield victories.
CPA recommends discreet mediation by IGAD and the African Union to forestall a wider spiral.
Regional Partners Watch Closely
Kenya and Ethiopia, eyeing cross-border trade corridors, have quietly called for restraint in recent statements.
Diplomats in Juba signal fresh shuttle talks if hostilities do not taper within weeks.