South Sudan faces a major risk of new fighting. Leaders of the Tumaini Peace Initiative want more help from nearby countries and world groups. They asked the African Union, United Nations, and others to talk with all sides. These peace talks started last year on May 9 in Nairobi, Kenya. They tried to bring together groups who stayed out of the 2018 peace deal. Sadly, peace efforts have not worked well yet.
The country struggles with many problems that break the peace agreement. Leaders made changes without permission, arrested important people, and ignored parts of the deal. These actions caused more local fights and made people distrust each other. Security forces recently arrested three top officials who support Vice President Riek Machar. An opposition speaker called this a serious break of the peace deal.
These arrests happened after fighting between government soldiers and a group called the White Army. This militia used to fight alongside Machar during the civil war that started in 2013. That war began when Machar and President Salva Kiir had a political fight. The president said Machar tried to take over, but Machar denied it. The war killed more than 400,000 people across South Sudan.
Both sides agreed to share power in 2018, which stopped most fighting. But they never wrote a new constitution, held elections, or combined their armies as promised. The peace deal entered a second extension on February 22, 2025. Sarah Nyanath Elijah Yong spoke for the group at a media event in Entebbe last Saturday. She read a statement about growing tensions and violence in several parts of the country.
The group wants fast action to prevent things from getting worse. They asked international partners to push all sides toward peace talks. They want leaders from nearby countries to meet right away in Juba. The goal would be to get the main politicians to talk to each other and solve current problems. Peace supporters asked everyone to calm down and stop fighting. They want all sides to commit to the peace process truly.
The group asked for fair investigations into recent violence in Nasir, Western Equatoria, and other areas. They want to learn exactly what happened, hold people responsible, and prevent more problems. They also requested a clear plan for tasks that must happen before elections in December 2026. This includes security arrangements, writing the constitution, and preparing for voting. The peace supporters believe South Sudan can change direction if political leaders truly want peace.
The country struggles with many problems that break the peace agreement. Leaders made changes without permission, arrested important people, and ignored parts of the deal. These actions caused more local fights and made people distrust each other. Security forces recently arrested three top officials who support Vice President Riek Machar. An opposition speaker called this a serious break of the peace deal.
These arrests happened after fighting between government soldiers and a group called the White Army. This militia used to fight alongside Machar during the civil war that started in 2013. That war began when Machar and President Salva Kiir had a political fight. The president said Machar tried to take over, but Machar denied it. The war killed more than 400,000 people across South Sudan.
Both sides agreed to share power in 2018, which stopped most fighting. But they never wrote a new constitution, held elections, or combined their armies as promised. The peace deal entered a second extension on February 22, 2025. Sarah Nyanath Elijah Yong spoke for the group at a media event in Entebbe last Saturday. She read a statement about growing tensions and violence in several parts of the country.
The group wants fast action to prevent things from getting worse. They asked international partners to push all sides toward peace talks. They want leaders from nearby countries to meet right away in Juba. The goal would be to get the main politicians to talk to each other and solve current problems. Peace supporters asked everyone to calm down and stop fighting. They want all sides to commit to the peace process truly.
The group asked for fair investigations into recent violence in Nasir, Western Equatoria, and other areas. They want to learn exactly what happened, hold people responsible, and prevent more problems. They also requested a clear plan for tasks that must happen before elections in December 2026. This includes security arrangements, writing the constitution, and preparing for voting. The peace supporters believe South Sudan can change direction if political leaders truly want peace.
