In a joint statement, the bodies expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Upper Nile State

By Emmanuel Mandella

A coalition of international organizations, including the African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), have called on the South Sudanese government to promptly address the rising tensions in Upper Nile, Western Equatoria, and Western Bahr el Ghazal states.

In a joint statement obtained by The City Review, the bodies expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Upper Nile State, where recent clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and armed youth in Nasir County have resulted in civilian casualties and displacement.

“According to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), the security situation in Upper Nile state in particular, has significantly deteriorated in past weeks. This has been heightened by the ongoing rotation of forces in Nasir, raising concerns about the likelihood of widespread violence,” the bodies said in a joint statement.

They called upon the leadership of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) and the Joint Defence Board (JDB) to work collegially, and swiftly remedy the persistent security concerns in the three states, cautioning that the incidents could potentially undermine the Permanent Ceasefire, which remains the cornerstone of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.  

“We once again underscore the need to progress the full and rapid unification and urgent deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces to boost public faith and trust in the RTGoNU’s commitment to lasting peace and stability in South Sudan, at this critical time as the country commences the fourth extension of its ongoing Transitional Period,” they added.

However, the unrest is not confined to Upper Nile. In Western Equatoria, clashes between the SSPDF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) around Nagero have led to civilian casualties and further displacement. UNMISS has called for high-level governmental intervention to prevent further deterioration of the security landscape.

The ramifications of this violence are profound. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring regions or countries. The continuous influx of displaced individuals has strained humanitarian resources, exacerbating an already dire situation.

Aid organizations are struggling to provide essential services amidst the chaos, with many displaced persons lacking adequate shelter, food, and medical care.

As South Sudan enters the fourth extension of its transitional period, the international community emphasizes the necessity for all parties to adhere to the peace agreement and expedite its implementation to pave the way for lasting peace.

The joint statement comes amid calls by the civil society to the international bodies to address the violence in the states.

Yesterday (on Thursday), civil society activist Edmund Yakani urged the United Nations, African Union, and IGAD to intervene to respond to the ‘escalating violations of the permanent ceasefire in South Sudan.’

Yakani stated that the current extended transitional period has started on damaging note and there is need to backtrack to prevent further attacks, further warning that the peace agreement is at risk if immediate action is not taken.