South Sudan: On the brink of Civil War as violence escalates - Press Conference | United Nations

UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan Nicholas Haysom warned said that the country “is teetering on the edge of a relapse into civil war.” Addressing the press today (24 Mar), Haysom said that the political and security situation has significantly deteriorated since the White Army, “that is a youth militia, overran barracks previously occupied by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Nasir on the 4th of March. In retaliation, communities across Upper Nile are being subjected to persistent aerial bombardment using devices, barrel bombs, allegedly containing a highly flammable liquid that acts as an accelerant on explosion.” He continued, “These indiscriminate attacks on civilians are causing significant casualties and horrific injuries, especially burns, including to women and children.” According to humanitarian partners, Haysom added, at least 63,000 people have fled the area. He also said, “We are receiving reports of further mobilization of White Army and SSPDF forces in Upper Nile, allegedly including children forcibly recruited into the ranks of the respective armed formations. This, in addition to the deployment of foreign forces at the request of the South Sudan government, is further fueling fear and anxiety across the country. On the political front, Haysom reported that some senior military and civilian officials affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) have been replaced or removed from their official positions while others have been detained, gone into hiding, or fled the country. He added, “Rampant misinformation, disinformation and hate speech is also ratcheting up tensions and driving ethnic divisions, and fear.” He stated, “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.” To try and prevent this outcome, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is engaging in intense shuttle diplomacy, alongside international and regional peace partners, including the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). According to UNMISS head, the region and the international community have also been actively engaged. He also informed the press that the high-level visit by IGAD foreign ministers to Juba was today postponed to the 3rd of April by the Government “at the last minute, and without explanation.” He highlighted, “The collective message of the region and the international community is the same. We remain convinced that there is only one way out of the cycle of conflict and that is to return to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, in letter and spirit.” This includes strict adherence to the ceasefire, the release of detained officials or their treatment in accordance with legal process, an immediate return to consensus-based decision-making, and the resolution of tensions through dialogue rather than military confrontation. He also encouraged the President and First Vice President to meet to resolve their differences constructively and make a joint public statement that reassures all South Sudanese of their united, steadfast commitment to peace.


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