South Sudan Forms a Unified Government to End Years-Long Civil War
By Julian Mok
Lexington— Leaders in South Sudan have signed a peace agreement and formed a unified government officially bringing an end to a devastating civil war that began in December 2013. Former rebel leader Riek Machar was sworn in as the first Vice President of South Sudan, an act that signals the reconciliation of Machar and President Salva Kiir. Ravaged by the atrocities a violent civil war, leaders hope that this peace deal will be the beginning of national healing and societal reconstruction.
Civil war has been a part of South Sudan’s history since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Led by President Kiir and Deputy President Machar, the country’s first government was racked with volatility and internal conflict.
In 2013, President Kiir fired Machar, accusing him of plotting against him, which sparked a civil war between the country’s two largest ethnic groups, the Dinka and the Nuer. Kiir is Dinka, while Machar is Nuer.
Not long after this, Kiir made the decision to increase the number of states in South Sudan from 10 to 32, a move that many perceived to benefit his Dinka people, allowing them more control of land and resources.
The civil war that erupted plunged one of the world’s poorest countries into a widespread humanitarian crisis. Over 400,00 people have been killed and another 4 million displaced from their homes, with 2.24 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan reported that, “civilians are deliberately starved, systematically surveilled and silenced, arbitrarily arrested and detained and denied meaningful access to justice.” Aid workers in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) face attacks and danger from armed groups who restrict their access to areas needing humanitarian aid.
During this 6-year civil war, leaders of opposing forces have come together several times to sign peace agreements, yet none of them have held. While some are optimistic about the latest agreement, many are skeptical.
Peter Adwok Nyaba, a former minister of South Sudan is cautious about this peace agreement, suggesting that it does not address the underlying ethnic conflict, government corruption and power struggles that remain despite the newly formed unified government. He suggests that this peace deal is just another phase in the “a typical vicious circle: poverty-conflict-peace lack of development then conflict.”
President Kiir is more optimistic. In a speech in late February, he announced that, “peace has come, and it has come to stay,” and that he would work faithfully alongside his “brother Dr. Machar” to maintain peace and facilitate the return of refugees and displaced people to their homes.
Both sides have made significant concessions to restore trust between the two ethnic groups. President Kiir has promised to reduce the number of states from 32 to its original 10 and Machar has agreed to return to South Sudan without his private security envoy.
There’s no doubt that this is a major step forwards in a peace negotiation that saw several delays, but experts suggest that there are many issues that must be addressed if the peace is to hold. The first is addressing the humanitarian crisis and ensuring that the 6.5 million people on the verge of massive famine can access a steady supply of food and water.
Another pressing issue is that of military unification. While it is the wish of both sides to integrate rebel forces into the national force, garrisons lack adequate supplies, food, water and basic equipment for an influx of soldiers.
Despite the skepticism, signing a peace deal and forming a unified government is a crucial first step in a process that has already posed many obstacles. This is a hopeful opportunity for this young country to distance itself from the familiarities of civil war and turn towards a period of reconciliation and rebuilding.