Defections, proxy wars and the prolonging of war in South Sudan

The visit of the president of Sudan and guarantor to the peace deals H.E Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and the Turu Declaration of Greater Maiwut Counties under the leadership of Bri. General James Gatwech Reath and what is the best way forward for the Republic of South Sudan. This article will address the following matters as the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit has broken the peace by executing proxy wars throughout SPLM IO-controlled areas, further leaving South Sudan vulnerable to further violence. 

On March 16, 2022, Bri. General James Gatwech Reath, Bri. General Gatluak Manytap Pal and Col. Koang Simon Tut defected to SPLM-IG under the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan. Under the leadership of these gentlemen, the areas of Turu, Nyetok, Jiokow, and Pinythor payams of Greater Maiwut County were surrendered to the leadership and military allegiance of SPLM IG. According to the defects, the defection is rooted in SPLM IO slander and failure. As a result of this defection, the people of Greater Maiwut County are now in more significant distress as their areas become vulnerable and a place for another government-sponsored proxy war. These leaders chose monetary gain and false promises of the president over the well-being of the people in these vulnerable areas. 

On March 18, 2022, the president of Sudan, H.E Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and guarantor of the South Sudan - Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCISS) peace agreement, visited the president of South Sudan, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, to discuss the unification of forces and the future of both Sudans. In the meeting president, Salva Kiir Mayardit was urged to honour the agreements, and the unitization of oil field operations was also addressed hence in the interest of (North) Sudan. In this case, we have bilateral relations and partnerships but in such a time as this, the president of South Sudan needs to be held accountable for breaking the peace and running proxy wars in SPLM IO-controlled areas and his failure to serve the people of South Sudan. Guarantors to the peace agreements concerning South Sudan have not held the presidency of South Sudan accountable for the proxy wars and for breaking the peace deals as a result of such contrived actions against the opposition and leaving the people of South Sudan vulnerable once more. The priority of South Sudanese leadership at this moment in time is to implement the peace agreements and develop the Republic of South Sudan to give the civilians a dignified life and end all instabilities, violence and proxy wars in the nation. 

In conclusion, governing bodies who are guarantors of the peace agreements need to hold the president of South Sudan accountable for running, funding and maintaining proxy wars in South Sudan and disturbing and attacking SPLM IO-controlled areas. The president of South Sudan needs to be held accountable for prolonging the suffering of the South Sudanese people by not honouring the peace agreements. For peace to prevail in South Sudan, the current regime and its leadership must be entirely held accountable for not honouring its state-level responsibilities.