Fri Mar 07 16:05:49 UTC 2025: ## South Sudan Peace Deal on Brink as Kiir-Machar Tensions Flare

**JUBA, South Sudan** — Tensions between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar are escalating sharply, threatening to derail the fragile 2018 peace agreement and plunge the young nation back into civil war. This week, President Kiir ordered the arrest and dismissal of numerous high-ranking political and military figures affiliated with Machar, further inflaming the situation.

Soldiers have surrounded Machar’s residence in Juba, according to members of his party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM/IO). This action follows recent violence in Upper Nile state, sparked by rumors of a planned forced disarmament of local groups. While the government blames a Nuer armed group, the SPLM/IO, the incident has exacerbated existing political divisions.

The conflict threatens to reignite the brutal civil war that ravaged the country from 2013 to 2018, displacing millions and causing hundreds of thousands of deaths. The 2018 peace deal, while initially bringing calm, has stalled on key reforms, including army unification and constitutional reform.

International concern is mounting. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), along with several Western embassies, have called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to dialogue. Kenyan President William Ruto, who is mediating the Tumaini peace process, has spoken with both Kiir and Machar, urging them to engage in talks. However, the recent arrests, described as a violation of the peace agreement by Machar’s party, have severely undermined trust.

The escalating tensions come amidst a devastating humanitarian crisis. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports a $412 million funding shortfall, while the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns of potential service cuts due to reduced US aid. Over 7.6 million people face food shortages, and one in four children is malnourished. The influx of refugees from neighboring Sudan further exacerbates the situation.

Analysts warn that continued political infighting could further delay crucial tasks, including the drafting of a permanent constitution and the holding of long-delayed elections. The lack of political will from both the SPLM and SPLM/IO is hindering progress, raising fears of a return to widespread conflict and further instability in already fragile South Sudan.

Read More