The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has urged the Security Council to intervene in securing the release of Dr. Riek Machar, along with other detained military and civilian officials, and to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
Mr. Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, highlighted Dr. Machar’s detention as a critical issue threatening the stability of the 2018 peace agreement.
Addressing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday, Haysom appealed for immediate action to resolve these challenges and called for dialogue to replace military confrontation.
“I seek the support of this Council to immediately address the Nasir tensions through dialogue rather than further military confrontation, which risks tipping the country into a broader conflict,” Haysom stated.
In addition to the conflict in Nasir, Haysom emphasized the importance of addressing the detention of opposition members, including Dr. Machar, calling on the council to ensure their release or guarantee that legal processes are properly followed.
“Thirdly, I call for the release of detained military and civilian officials or their treatment in accordance with legal processes,” Haysom added.
Highlighted in his address, is the appeal to South Sudan’s leaders to exercise restraint and address their political differences constructively through public dialogue, urging neighboring countries to fulfill their role as guarantors of the peace agreement by supporting efforts to restore stability.
“I must underscore the critical role of neighboring states, as guarantors of the Agreement, in restoring peace and stability in South Sudan,” Haysom said.
Last month, the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) reaffirmed its commitment to the 2018 peace agreement, assuring the public that it would not lead the country back to war.
Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and Postal Services, and government spokesperson, addressed concerns during a media briefing regarding the arrest of members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), including Dr. Machar, in Juba.
Makuei acknowledged that these arrests, alongside ongoing conflicts, pose challenges to the peace agreement but expressed confidence that the issues could be resolved.
“All these activities seem to be taking people back to war. We are not taking people back to war; that is why we are talking. If we were taking people back to war, we would have worked in silence,” Makuei said.
“Our president (Salva Kiir) has committed himself several times that he will not take you back to war, so we are not taking anybody to war,” he added, urging the public to remain calm and assured them that the government is in control of the current challenges surrounding the peace agreement.
“All that is happening – these are normal ups and downs in the implementation of any agreement. People should not just be frightened that the agreement is collapsing,” he expressed.
Dr. Machar’s continued detention remains a key concern in the fragile peace process, and his release is seen as vital to ensuring that South Sudan does not slide back into conflict.
The calls from UNMISS and other stakeholders underline the need for dialogue and collaborative efforts to uphold the promises of the 2018 peace agreement.
