By Matik Kueth
The diplomatic missions in South Sudan have called on President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to engage in dialogue in a bid to restore and maintain peace in the face of escalating tensions and detentions in the country.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the embassies of the donor nations, including Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Upper Nile State, particularly highlighting the recent aerial bombardments in Nasir County and credible reports of civilian casualties.
“We reaffirm as a matter of urgency our call for South Sudan’s leaders, including President Kiir and FVP Machar, to meet and engage in direct dialogue to restore and maintain peace,” the statement read in part.
“We further call on all South Sudan’s leaders to avoid unilateral actions, to reject the use of violence as a tool for political competition, and to put the interests of the South Sudanese people first,” it added.
The diplomatic missions also expressed worry about reports of the Nasir incident and the ongoing incarceration of SPLM-IO officials.
“We remain concerned about reports of SSPDF survivors of the Nasir Garrison who have been unable to return to safe locations as well as of continued detentions in Juba of senior officials without charges,” it stated.
This appeal comes on the backdrop of rising violence, with the government launching aerial bombardments on residents in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
An airstrike on March 16 devastated the town, resulting in 21 fatalities and widespread destruction, with social media footage showing flames engulfing homes in the area.
On March 8, the African Union and IGAD urged South Sudan’s leaders to prioritize the safety of humanitarian and peacekeeping operations in the face of clashes between the SSPDF and local armed groups, specifically the “White Army.”
On March 12, IGAD called for the immediate release of SPLM-IO officials who are allies of FVP Machar, amid rising tensions following deadly clashes in Nasir County.
A virtual summit convened by Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh cautioned that the continued incarceration of these officials jeopardizes the country’s peace agreement.
The disturbance worsened earlier in March when armed men from the White Army overran the SSPDF military barrack in Wech-Yar-Adiu, killing 31 SSPDF troops, including the local commander and a UN helicopter staff member.
However, in a press conference on March 17, Michael Makuei, National Minister of Information, confirmed the deployment of the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in Juba, stating that it was with the government’s approval.
He also revealed that the SSPDF carried out the recent aerial bombings in Nasir, Ulang, and Longechuk counties.