Sudanese Delegation Dispatched to South Sudan to Push for Peace Amid Growing Tensions

Tensions are rising in South Sudan after a disagreement between President Salva Kiir and his First Vice President Riek Machar resulted in the sacking of the defense minister. In a move that goes against the terms of the 2018 peace agreement, Kiir swapped the defense ministry set for Machar’s party to his party and handed Machar the interior ministry. The move has caused concern among South Sudan’s peace partners, prompting a high-level Sudanese delegation to visit Juba to address challenges facing the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

Our credible sources have revealed that a Sudanese delegation led by Lieutenant General Shamseddin al-Kabbashi, a member of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council, has been dispatched to South Sudan to push for peace and stability. Sudan, the current chair of the East African regional block IGAD and one of the guarantors of the South Sudan peace agreement has a crucial role to play in ensuring stability in the country.

The delegation is also accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Yassin Ibrahim Yassin, and the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali al-Sadiq. Their visit comes just two days after the meeting between Kiir and Machar ended with no breakthrough, prompting concern among peace partners.

The revitalized peace agreement gives parties the power to remove their representatives from the council of ministers and nominate replacements by notifying the president. However, Kiir’s recent move to swap ministries has caused concern among peace partners, who fear that it could undermine the peace agreement.

Since the implementation of the 2018 peace deal has been slow, and the opposing forces have frequently disagreed over how to share power, the parties to the peace agreement in August last year announced the extension of the transitional government’s time in office for another two years, meaning elections would be held in December 2024.

As tensions continue to rise in South Sudan, the Sudanese delegation’s visit is seen as a crucial step in ensuring peace and stability in the country. The international community will be watching closely to see how the situation develops and whether the peace agreement can be upheld.