By: Ginaba Lino
Civil society organizations across South Sudan have appealed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit to urgently intervene and stop a planned military operation in Akobo County of Jonglei State, warning that the move could trigger further violence, displacement, and humanitarian suffering.
In a joint statement issued on March 7, the Civil Society Networks from the country’s 10 states and three administrative areas expressed alarm over reports that the Office of the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) had ordered the closure of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) facility in Akobo and directed the mandatory relocation of civilians from the town and surrounding areas.
The groups said they learned on March 6 that authorities intend to extend ongoing military operations recently conducted in Uror, Ayod, Nyirol, and Duk counties to Akobo County.
Civil society leaders warned that such operations risk violating the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and could further destabilize communities already affected by armed confrontations.
They said recent clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) in northern Jonglei have already resulted in severe consequences, including civilian deaths, displacement, trauma, and the recruitment of civilians into armed groups.
“The recent hostilities remind us of the horrible consequences resulting from such operations, including trauma, displacement, killing and maiming of civilians, the majority being children, women, and the elderly,” the statement said.
According to the civil society networks, continued military operations could deepen community divisions and increase polarization along ethnic lines, further undermining efforts to restore peace and stability in the country.
The organizations stressed that violence should not be used as a means of resolving political or military disputes and instead called for dialogue between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government (SPLM-IG) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO).
They appealed directly to President Kiir to immediately suspend the order issued by the Chief of Defense Forces and allow space for political dialogue in line with the spirit of the 2018 peace agreement.
“Putting the order on hold will open a chapter for political dialogue to amicably address the differences between the SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO,” the statement noted.
The civil society groups added that halting the planned operation would help save lives, prevent further suffering among civilians, and allow humanitarian agencies and UNMISS to continue providing essential assistance to vulnerable populations in the area.
The appeal was jointly issued by civil society networks representing South Sudan’s ten states and three administrative areas, who called on national leaders to prioritize peaceful solutions and protect civilians from further harm.