South Sudan News: UN Warns Of An Impending Genocide

The UN warns for international world leaders to take action regarding the rise of a South Sudan genocide. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

As the world mobilizes to evacuate civilians in Syria, the inevitable has already come to pass. Widespread destruction in Aleppo has become the daily standard, thanks to continuous bombing from Russian and Syrian forces vying for control. Although humanitarian aid is slowly starting to trickle into Aleppo’s borders, many of the city’s disillusioned inhabitants see intervention come far too late. Similarly, in recent South Sudan news, Africa may be seeing a repeat of this brand of tragedy if world leaders also ignore the plight of the people in Central Equatoria. 

To put it simply, the five-year-nation of Sudan is currently undergoing immense political turmoil even after the end of their three-year civil war back in August 2015. The war has divided sides between the country’s president, and then-vice president, plus members of different ethnic groups scattered across the country. Now, the two largest ethnic communities, the Dinka and the Nuer, are up against each other which has led to exacerbating tensions among civilians and government officials alike.

CNN has called the state of affairs in South Sudan an “impending genocide.” Princeton Lyman and Nancy Lindborg, who are both involved in the US Institute of Peace, reported on the escalating violence within the region. Militia are mobilizing across borders. Hate speech is littered across social media, more so than usual. Frighteningly, South Sudan’s government have already begun to level villages, resulting in countless residents dying without warning. 

The ethnic-based killing is showing its true colors as an endless cycle of needless revenge.

South Sudan News: A call for global intervention

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has begun calling upon world leaders to intervene before it’s too late for South Sudan. In an opinion piece published by Newsweek, the UN chief drops an alarming statistic of victims in the country. Tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers have been killed, and South Sudan’s fragile social fabric has been shattered in the span of less than three years, even after the peace agreement to end the civil war was signed last year. More than six million people are displaced and are in need of aid.

He also added that the government has betrayed its people, claiming that South Sudan President Salva Kiir is using ethnically-based strategies to keep himself in power. This violent means has silenced media, suppressed peace, and has encouraged petrifying cruelty among his people. Moreover, the National Public Radio has recently confirmed that even international aid groups and non-profit organizations are being driven out of the region with little to no explanation. 

The Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the world’s most prolific aid groups, have been expelled from South Sudan. Joel Charny, head of the NRC’s United States office, recalled that they were detained for 24 hours before being asked to leave. While the UN has done its part to condemn the movement, their deportation only proves that it has become more and more difficult to save lives in South Sudan, even if you play neutral sides in their escalating civil unrest. 

If nothing is to be done for the world’s youngest country, the UN has warned that it could lead to another Rwanda genocide that will wipe out smaller ethnic groups caught in the middle of the struggle. The solution? According to some, it’s all about making it clear to the defunct government of South Sudan that their actions are unacceptable. International sanctions must also be placed in order to pressure forces to comply to peace sanctions, and world leaders must come together if genocide is to be nipped in the bud while possible.

The task is easier said than done, but heads of state are being heralded to take responsibility for international crises which local governments can no longer control. What are your thoughts regarding the misfortune in South Sudan news as of late? Comment below and share with us your voice.

References

1. ^{^} 145 Child Soldiers Released By South Sudanese Armed Groups (www.morningledger.com)