The UN has warned that South Sudan is on the "brink of relapse into civil war" as of February 2024, with recent clashes displacing at least 50,000 people. Tensions are escalating in Upper Nile State between forces aligned with President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, jeopardizing their fragile peace agreement.
The violence is disrupting humanitarian aid, forcing the suspension of vital services, including a cholera treatment unit. An air strike by the South Sudanese government in Nasir County resulted in at least 20 deaths, including children. The UN reports that 10,000 displaced individuals have crossed into Ethiopia.
Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan, urged all parties to de-escalate tensions, drawing parallels to the catastrophic war in neighboring Sudan. The fighting threatens the 2018 peace deal between Kiir and Machar, who previously engaged in a civil war that claimed approximately 400,000 lives.
Key moments to watch include diplomatic efforts to mediate between the warring factions and the delivery of humanitarian aid to affected populations. The international community's response will be crucial in preventing further escalation and averting a full-blown civil war.