By Matik Kueth
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicolas Haysom, has warned that South Sudan is on the verge of returning to a full-fledged civil war as renewed violence and political tensions evolve in the country.
Haysom, who briefed journalists at UN Headquarters in New York via video link from Juba on Monday, described indiscriminate attacks on civilians, enormous displacement, and escalating ethnic tensions.
“A conflict would erase all the hard-won gains made since the 2018 peace deal was signed. It would devastate not only South Sudan but the entire region, which simply cannot afford another war,” Haysom warned.
He urged all parties to step back from the brink and commit to peacekeeping before the country plunged into another devastating conflict.
Haysom appealed to South Sudanese leaders to immediately recommit to the 2018 peace deal, respect the ceasefire, release detained officials and resolve disputes through dialogue rather than military confrontation.
The UNMISS Chief’s warning came after Jim Risch, Chairperson of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that South Sudan is on the verge of civil war, blaming President Kiir and FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny for fueling the violence.
Clashes erupted between the SPDF and local armed youth in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, on March 4, 2025, when the armed overran the SSPDF’s Wech-Yar-Adiu military barrack and killed the SSPDF commander, Lt. Gen. Majur Dak, as well as a United Nations crew member during evacuation efforts.
In response, Government forces launched retaliatory aerial bombardments on civilian areas, using barrel bombs that allegedly contained highly flammable accelerants.
“These indiscriminate attacks on civilians are causing significant casualties and horrific injuries, especially burns, including to women and children,” Mr. Haysom stressed, adding that at least 63,000 people have fled the area.
He said reports indicate that both the White Army and national forces are mobilizing for further confrontations, with allegations of child recruitment into armed groups.
The deployment of the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan at the request of the government has further heightened tensions, evoking painful memories of the country’s previous civil wars.
Regional peace efforts
The UNMISS Chief further noted that UNMISS has engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts alongside regional and international partners, including the African Union (AU), the regional development bloc, IGAD, and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission.
However, he pointed out that a scheduled high-level visit by IGAD foreign ministers to Juba, aimed at mediating between the parties, was abruptly postponed by the South Sudanese government without explanation.
“This is a disappointing development at a time when diplomatic outreach is more important than ever,” he said.
Peace pact violations
The UN official further noted that key officials of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), the primary opposing militia, had been removed, replaced, jailed, or forced into hiding.
According to him, there is also an increase in the use of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, which exacerbates ethnic tensions and fear, making reconciliation even more difficult.
He called on President Kiir and First Vice President Machar to meet and publicly reaffirm their commitment to peace.
“Given this grim situation, we are left with no other conclusion, but to assess that South Sudan is teetering on the edge of a relapse into civil war,” he further cautioned.