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Tensions escalate in South Sudan amid calls for peace
Left-Right: Bishop Emeritus Enock Tombe, Mr Manasseh Mathiang, Ms Sarah Nyanath, Mr Simon Marot Touloung, Mr Patrick Godi and Mr Patrick Godi in Entebbe on March 15, 2025. Photo Paul Adude
What you need to know:
During a press conference in Entebbe on Saturday, members of the initiative expressed concern over the ongoing violations of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), as the country enters the second extension of its transition period
As violence continues to escalate in neighboring South Sudan, causing loss of life, destruction of property, and the displacement of hundreds of people seeking refuge in neighboring countries, stakeholders in the Tumaini Peace Initiative are urging warring parties to de-escalate tensions and work toward lasting peace in the conflict-ridden East African nation.
During a press conference in Entebbe on Saturday, members of the initiative expressed concern over the ongoing violations of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), as the country enters the second extension of its transition period.
The Tumaini Peace Initiative is a high-level mediation effort aimed at resolving the South Sudan conflict. It brings together all the holdout groups that have not signed the 2018 R-ARCSS. The initiative was launched on May 9, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ms Sarah Nyanath, the woman representative for the Tumaini Peace Initiative, addressed the media, highlighting the growing political tensions, armed confrontations, inter-communal violence, and violations of the peace agreement. She expressed her concern about the spreading violence across the country, stating, “This is evidenced by the growing political tensions, armed confrontations, inter-communal violence, and the ongoing violations of the R-ARCSS.”
Ms Nyanath noted that inter-communal violence in various parts of the country poses a serious threat to peace and stability and could lead to further deterioration of the situation.
She also raised concerns over the recent arrest of members of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) and the continued reluctance of militia groups tied to both First Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir to implement the peace agreement. “If these issues are not addressed, we fear the situation could escalate into full-scale war,” she warned.
The group called for immediate de-escalation, urging all warring parties to exercise restraint, engage in dialogue, and reaffirm their commitment to the peace process. “We demand credible, independent investigations into recent incidents, such as those in Nasir and Western Equatoria, to establish facts, ensure accountability, and prevent future violence,” Ms. Nyanath said.
She further emphasized the need for urgent action: “The government and armed groups must take measures to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access in conflict zones. We also call for the deployment of the first batch of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF), the unification of military command structures, and the creation of a clear roadmap for the implementation of tasks leading to the elections in December 2026. The people of South Sudan must actively participate in the transitional process, demanding greater transparency and rejecting violence.”
The Tumaini Peace Initiative also urged the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and the broader international community to ramp up diplomatic and political efforts to implement the peace agreement and prevent actions that could plunge the country back into war.
Additionally, the group appealed to IGAD heads of state to convene an extraordinary summit in Juba, aimed at breaking the deadlock in implementing the peace agreement. “We are calling on regional leaders, particularly IGAD, to convene an extraordinary summit in Juba. The focus should be on dialogue—getting the political parties to engage and resolve the conflict peacefully, rather than resorting to military confrontation,” Ms Nyanath said.
Recently, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu also called on warring parties to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue to defuse rising tensions.
Mr Manasseh Mathiang, Executive Director of the Hagiga Initiative, stressed the need for influential figures across various sectors to speak out in support of peaceful resolutions. “I urge my colleagues in the arts—visual artists, musicians, and others—to step up and play their part in moving the country toward peace as we approach the transitional period,” Mr. Mathiang said.
He added, “We all have a role to play in ensuring that South Sudan becomes the peaceful country we all desire.”
When asked about the recent deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) in South Sudan, the leaders declined to comment in detail, especially after South Sudan's Information Minister Michael Makuei recently denied the presence of foreign troops in Juba.
Mr Patrick Godi, the youth representative, expressed concern over the mobilization of young people by warring factions to prepare for a wider conflict. “As young people in the country, we stand united in calling for peace. We reject any further escalation of the crisis, and many of us have been engaged in peace efforts even before these recent incidents,” he said.
Mr Godi urged peace partners not only to engage in dialogue but also to address the underlying issues that have pushed South Sudan to the brink of war.
