UN warns of violence in South Sudan elections
The United Nations Human Rights Commission in South Sudan has issued strong warnings, emphasizing that the country’s first general elections, scheduled for next December, could ignite new waves of violence. The commission explained that the absence of a clear strategy to consolidate democracy and prevent national divisions makes this electoral process a grave danger threatening the fragile stability the state has experienced for years.
These warnings come at a time when the country is witnessing a gradual erosion of the mechanisms of the peace agreement signed in 2018, amidst escalating political and field tensions between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those affiliated with his historical rival, Riek Machar. Sources reported that conflict-related violations have begun to increase significantly, reinforcing fears of a return to the comprehensive civil war that previously devastated the country’s capabilities.
In its latest report, the UN commission indicated that South Sudan is currently going through one of its most dangerous political phases since the end of the five-year civil war. The report stated that factors such as impunity, the monopolization of power, and its militarization have exacerbated feelings of marginalization among broad groups, making the risk of committing heinous crimes strong and imminent as the election date approaches.
In a related context, the commission’s chairperson, Yasmin Sooka, stressed the need to protect the lives of citizens who place great hopes on democratic change, warning against turning elections into a tool for conflict instead of a mechanism for peaceful transition. The commission called on authorities to take serious steps to create a conducive political climate, including the release of political detainees, especially Riek Machar, to ensure the inclusiveness of the political process.
On the humanitarian front, South Sudan faces a suffocating crisis coinciding with political tensions, as international agencies have warned of a severe funding shortage that could lead to the cessation of vital aid. The food lifeline for approximately 240,000 refugees is expected to be cut by next September unless the international community acts to provide the necessary financial support to address the impending livelihood catastrophe.
The figures reflect the scale of the tragedy the country has experienced, where the previous conflict claimed the lives of approximately 400,000 people and displaced millions, while South Sudan remains at the bottom of the global Human Development Index. Independent observers believe that the country has effectively returned to a war-like state, necessitating urgent international intervention to prevent the collapse of the transitional agreements that have begun to lose their effectiveness.
In conclusion, the biggest challenge facing the Juba government is the ability to organize fair and secure elections amidst a deteriorating security environment and deep political divisions. Field reports confirm that the continued militarization of the public sphere and the absence of accountability represent the biggest obstacle to achieving sustainable peace, putting the future of the nascent state at stake in the face of the fateful December elections.
Organizing elections without a strategy to consolidate democracy could contribute to reigniting conflict and increasing the risk of committing heinous crimes.