United Nations calls for peaceful resolution of division within South Sudan's factions

Amidst escalating violence, UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has called for peaceful resolution of division which has developed between Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO). On Thursday, Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of Secretary-General called on warring parties to reconcile, overcome ir differences and toger work towards implementing transitional security agreements.

“UNMISS is committed to supporting full implementation of Revitalized Peace Agreement and it is important that this process continues to move forward at pace,” said Special Representative of Secretary-General, Mr. Nicholas Haysom. “refore, we join with Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IG) Council of Ministers, Presidency, and civil society groups in calling for SPLM-IO factions, and indeed, all signatory parties to work toger to overcome ir differences peacefully," he ded. 

Since its foundation in 2011, South Sudan has been battered by a gruesome civil war. crisis in East African country commenced after a fallout between Salva Kiir Mayardit, leer of  Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and Riek Machar, who broke out from political party and in 2013, formed his own- Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). Last week, a clash between m resulted in deaths of 34 soldiers at Mnis area of Upper Nile state.

Civil war

Deputy President Machar accused Kiir of 'dictatorial' behaviour after he was fired by Kiir in 2013, which pushed country into Civil War. Rival army units- Kiir's Dinka group and Machar's Nuer group engd in war at Juba. Both entities agreed to Peace in 2015. However, Kiir accused Machar of an attempt to murder and sent him to exile in 2016.

Peace Deal and Progress

In 2018, Kiir and Machar met to sign a peace accord after war killed over 4 lakh people in country. In March 2020, Machar was reinstated in South Sudanese government. Since n country has been focused on implementation of peace accord and elimination of armed conflict. South Sudan has just begun to draft its Constitution on May 25.

Im: AP