South Sudan’s Upper Nile State is currently experiencing the worst security and political environment, where skirmishes are coming back into sight, according to Nicholas Haysom, who is the UN Special Representative and also the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Monday’s sharp statement by Haysom suggested that violence has peaked and the White Army has taken control and disposed of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) on March 4.
As a result, the air strikes have been reported to have hit villages in the Upper Nile, and it is of concern that the barrels contain flammable accelerants.
“These arbitrary assaults are making many people suffer, among other things, burn injuries, especially the female gender and children,” argued Haysom, who also mentioned that at least 63,000 individuals have had to escape the affected territories.
Moreover, some sources report increased outfitting of militias, such as the recruitment of children as soldiers and the presence of foreign troops.
Political Unrest and Diplomatic Efforts
According to the official’s statement, politicians from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), belonging to this group, have either been relieved, others put in detention, or fled to other countries. Haysom focused on the fact that misinformation, disinformation, and hate speeches are further driving the wedge between different ethnic groups.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), in collaboration with the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) along others, is working on the diplomacy to avoid the falling back of the country into the civil war.
“However, despite all these efforts, what happened was that the high-level IGAD visit, which was to have taken place in Juba on April 3, was called off by the government who did not give any prior warning at a crucial time which is a serious setback to this entire peace process of the country,” remarked Haysom.
Machar Protests Uganda’s Military Presence
Meanwhile, First Vice-President Riek Machar has formally protested Uganda’s military presence in South Sudan, warning that it could jeopardize the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS).
In a letter dated March 23, addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, AU Peace and Security Council Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, and IGAD Chair Ismail Omar Guelleh, Machar accused Uganda of deploying forces without the approval of South Sudan’s transitional government.
He also alleged that Ugandan airstrikes had targeted civilians in Upper Nile and Jonglei states. Uganda has not yet responded to these claims.
Machar stressed that Uganda, as a guarantor of the peace deal, should be upholding the agreement rather than violating its terms. He cited articles 2.1.5 and 2.1.7 of the 2018 accord, which call for the withdrawal of foreign forces.
Uganda initially sent troops to South Sudan in 2014 under an agreement with the previous administration, but Machar argued that the current government never ratified the deal, making their continued presence unlawful.
Growing Fears of Renewed Conflict
Tensions between President Salva Kiir and Machar have intensified, with recent clashes raising fears that South Sudan could slide back into war. Uganda recently deployed special forces to Juba, citing a need to help “secure” the capital and support President Kiir.
With the UN maintaining an arms embargo on South Sudan, questions remain over how Ugandan troops entered with heavy weaponry.
Haysom emphasized that the only viable path forward is strict adherence to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, warning that failure to do so would have devastating consequences for South Sudan and the wider region.