South Sudan risks sliding back into war as peace deal stalls

South Sudanese soldiers stand in line on the streets of Juba in a “show of force” ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to the country this week in Juba, South Sudan (Feb. 2, 2023) - [REUTERS/Jok Solomun]

South Sudan is facing renewed fears of conflict, with warnings that the country could slip back into full-scale civil war despite a fragile peace agreement signed in 2018.

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission says there has been limited progress in implementing the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, raising concerns about the future of the peace process.

A delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council arrived in Juba this week for a three-day assessment of the situation on the ground.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has issued a stark warning, saying the country is at risk of returning to widespread violence.

South Sudan has seen a surge in fighting since late 2024, with clashes displacing large numbers of people and worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis.

The 2018 peace deal had raised hopes of stability after years of civil war, but slow implementation, political tensions and continued violence have undermined those gains.

Source: https://www.channelafrica.co.za/channelafrica/news/south-sudan-risks-sliding-back-into-war-as-peace-deal-stalls/