By Matik Kueth
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), called on all parties to the agreement to exercise restraint and uphold the 2018 revitalized peace deal following alleged reports of First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar’s detention on Wednesday.
In a statement, Nicolas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, cautioned that South Sudanese leaders stand on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict or taking the country forward towards peace, recovery and democracy in the spirit of the consensus that was reached in 2018 when they signed and committed to implementing a Revitalized Peace Agreement.
He added, “Unilateral amendments by Parties to that agreement that jeopardize the hard-won gains of the past seven years risk returning the country back into a state of war.”
Haysom said the ongoing tensions will not only devastate South Sudan but also affect the entire country.
The UNMISS further appealed to the parties to immediately cease hostilities and engage in constructive dialogue that puts the best interests of their people.
The relentless tensions between the SPLM/A-IO and the SPLM-IG continue to pose a threat to the R-ARCSS, as both sides continue to battle.
Despite regional and international peace brokers’ appeals to the two principals to engage in dialogue, President Kiir and FVP Dr. Riek Machar, clashes erupted on Wednesday between Machar and President Kiir’s forces in cantonments on the outskirts of Juba, as well as in Tonga in Malakal, Upper Nile State.
According to reports, the SSPDF attacked the SPLA-IO military camp on Bor Road this morning (Thursday), although no casualties have been reported.