Fears that South Sudan - the world's youngest nation - could plunge into a new civil war have intensified after the party of suspended Vice-President Riek Machar called for regime change. The call came after Machar - currently under house arrest - was charged with murder, treason, and crimes against humanity.
His party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement In Opposition (SPLM-IO), has denounced the charges as a political witch-hunt aimed at dismantling a 2018 peace accord that ended a five-year civil war. As tensions escalate, additional troops from neighboring Uganda have been deployed to South Sudan's capital, Juba.
A recent UN report accused South Sudanese officials of embezzling billions of dollars in oil revenues, exacerbating the dire situation for millions of citizens deprived of essential services.
Background of South Sudan's Struggles
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of conflict but quickly descended into civil war in 2013 when President Salva Kiir dismissed Machar. The brutal civil war, marked by ethnic violence, resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions displaced.
Although a peace agreement was signed in 2018, implementation has lagged, with key provisions like the establishment of a unified military and delayed elections still unresolved.
Tension Triggers
The current crisis began with clashes involving the White Army militia allied to Machar and the national army. Following violent encounters, government accusations led to the arrest of Machar and his associates, who are seen as orchestrating a rebellion.
As Machar faced serious charges, his party's rhetoric escalated. They labeled Kiir's government a dictatorship and called upon their supporters to mobilize in the name of national service.
Impact of Corruption and Failed Governance
The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan released a report detailing how corruption has drained billions from public resources, leading to widespread human suffering. Critiques of the government's handling of oil revenues have underscored the dire economic conditions affecting citizens.
Implications for Peace and Security
With the legacy of civil war still fresh, the current leadership conflicts and the threat of renewed violence worry analysts about the possibility of proxy wars spilling over into the region.
In response to growing unrest, Ugandan military units have been spotted entering Juba, raising alarms about a potential escalation in violence during Machar's upcoming trial.
