Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN mission in South Sudan, highlighted the devastating implications of recent clashes between military forces and the rebel White Army militia, which could reverse years of hard-won peace.
Escalating Violence in South Sudan Triggers UN Alarm Over Potential Civil War
Escalating Violence in South Sudan Triggers UN Alarm Over Potential Civil War
In a dire warning, the UN expresses fears of a renewed civil war as violence escalates in South Sudan, with disturbing reports of barrel bombs in airstrikes.
The United Nations has raised alarms over the potential for an outbreak of civil war in South Sudan following the use of barrel bombs in recent airstrikes. Reports indicate that these bombs, believed to contain a highly flammable liquid, have been deployed in the ongoing conflict involving the government and the White Army militia during violent skirmishes in the northern town of Nasir, located in the oil-rich Upper Nile State.
Nicholas Haysom, the head of the UN mission in South Sudan, stated that since the White Army took control of a military base, indiscriminate aerial attacks have resulted in significant casualties, including horrific burns on civilians. He cautioned that such a conflict would undo the critical advancements achieved since the peace agreement was signed in 2018, and warned that it would have dire repercussions not only for South Sudan but also for the broader region suffering from instability.
Historically, tensions between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar have been on the rise, especially following the arrest of several of Machar’s senior allies by government forces, an act they labeled as a severe breach of the peace agreement. Both leaders had reached a compromise in August 2018 to end a brutal civil war that resulted in nearly 400,000 deaths.
Haysom also noted that rumors and hate speech are exacerbating ethnic divisions, heightening fears across the region. Local leaders have reported the use of unusual weapons in recent conflicts, with allegations that the military has utilized barrel bombs filled with ethyl acetate, a highly combustible agent. Eyewitness accounts suggest these airstrikes are indiscriminate and heavily impact civilian populations, resulting in an estimated 63,000 people being displaced from their homes.
Government spokesperson Michael Makuei defended the military operations, asserting that the bombardments targeted only White Army positions. However, Haysom emphasized that civilians, including women and children, have been gravely affected.
In a related development, Riek Machar has accused Uganda of intervening militarily in South Sudan, claiming that it has breached the UN arms embargo by participating in attacks against civilians. Uganda's military activity has been defended as a request from Kiir's administration, though the South Sudanese government has denied foreign military involvement.
The UN mission, which comprises around 18,000 peacekeepers, is engaged in urgent diplomatic efforts to avert a resurgence of civil war in the country.
Nicholas Haysom, the head of the UN mission in South Sudan, stated that since the White Army took control of a military base, indiscriminate aerial attacks have resulted in significant casualties, including horrific burns on civilians. He cautioned that such a conflict would undo the critical advancements achieved since the peace agreement was signed in 2018, and warned that it would have dire repercussions not only for South Sudan but also for the broader region suffering from instability.
Historically, tensions between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar have been on the rise, especially following the arrest of several of Machar’s senior allies by government forces, an act they labeled as a severe breach of the peace agreement. Both leaders had reached a compromise in August 2018 to end a brutal civil war that resulted in nearly 400,000 deaths.
Haysom also noted that rumors and hate speech are exacerbating ethnic divisions, heightening fears across the region. Local leaders have reported the use of unusual weapons in recent conflicts, with allegations that the military has utilized barrel bombs filled with ethyl acetate, a highly combustible agent. Eyewitness accounts suggest these airstrikes are indiscriminate and heavily impact civilian populations, resulting in an estimated 63,000 people being displaced from their homes.
Government spokesperson Michael Makuei defended the military operations, asserting that the bombardments targeted only White Army positions. However, Haysom emphasized that civilians, including women and children, have been gravely affected.
In a related development, Riek Machar has accused Uganda of intervening militarily in South Sudan, claiming that it has breached the UN arms embargo by participating in attacks against civilians. Uganda's military activity has been defended as a request from Kiir's administration, though the South Sudanese government has denied foreign military involvement.
The UN mission, which comprises around 18,000 peacekeepers, is engaged in urgent diplomatic efforts to avert a resurgence of civil war in the country.
