By Nakwam Rose
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has voiced alarm over the growing risk of renewed conflict in the country, citing increasing political tensions and security challenges.
Nicholas Haysom, the Head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan and Representative of the Secretary General, made a statement following the house arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar on Wednesday evening.
The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General emphasized that the future of South Sudan hangs in balance, and leaders must embrace negotiation and dialogue to achieve lasting peace amid ongoing challenges.
“The country’s 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,” partly read the statement.
Mr. Haysom pointed out that it is the responsibility of the country’s leaders to choose to advance or hinder progress.
He reminded them of the peace agreement signed in 2018, which aimed to stabilize the nation.
“Unilateral amendments by parties to that agreement that jeopardies the hard-earned gains of the past seven years risk returning the country back into a state of war,” the statement added.
Mr. Haysom stated that a lack of consensus on one-sided adjustments or extensions to the agreement by individual parties not only threatens national stability but also jeopardizes the progress made over the last seven years.
He urged the involved parties to prioritize the well-being of their citizens and engage in constructive discussions that address their common interests rather than inciting chaos and discord.
The UN head called on the leaders who are signatories to the 2018 peace agreement to reconsider their positions and create space for reevaluating the terms of the peace agreement.