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SOUTH Sudan — the world’s youngest nation having gained autonomy and independence from mainland Sudan on 9 July 2011 — is mired in conflict again and this is worrying. South Sudanese rebels were yesterday reported to have taken over a key town as fighting continued after Sunday’s reported coup attempt. “Our soldiers have lost control of Bor to the force of Riek Machar,” said army spokesman Philip Aguer.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has accused Machar, the former vice-president, of plotting a coup — a claim he denies. The unrest, which began in the capital Juba, has killed some 500 people and sparked fears of widespread conflict. Since independence, several rebel groups have taken up arms and one of these is said to have been involved in the capture of Bor. The UN has expressed concern about a possible civil war between the country’s two main ethnic groups, the Dinka of Mr Kiir and the Nuer of Mr Machar.
President Salva Kiir has blamed the violence on a group of soldiers who support Machar, saying they tried to take power by force on Sunday night. But Machar denied allegations that he had tried to stage a coup, telling the BBC: “Salva wanted to frame me. I had to flee. They are hunting me down.” He blamed Sunday’s fighting on a conflict between members of the presidential guard, and added that government troops had used the incident to arrest some of his supporters.
South Sudan has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent from Sudan in 2011. The oil-rich country remains ethnically and politically divided, with many armed groups active. After a peace deal was signed in 2005, Machar was appointed vice-president of the South Sudan regional government. He retained the position after independence in 2011 but was dropped in July when the whole cabinet was sacked. The problems in oil-rich South Sudan are a serious cause for concern, particularly to the African Union which was crucial in assisting the continent’s youngest nation find its feet.
Several African countries including Zimbabwe supported the Sudan People’s Liberation Army led by the late John Garang as it fought for independence from Sudan and President Mugabe attended the independence celebrations and swearing in of President Kiir. Since the attainment of independence, the nascent nation has sought to rebuild itself and establish a stable democracy after years of war. The descent into chaos and anarchy can never be good for a country barely able to sustain itself.
The economy of South Sudan is one of the world’s most underdeveloped with the country having little existing infrastructure and the highest maternal mortality and female illiteracy rates in the world as of 2011. The country is acknowledged to have some of the worst health indicators in the world.
The under-five infant mortality rate is 135.3 per 1,000, whilst maternal mortality is the highest in the world at 2,053.9 per 100,000 live births. In 2004, there were only three surgeons serving southern Sudan, with three proper hospitals, and in some areas there was just one doctor for every 500,000 people. It is estimated that between 50 percent and 60 percent of the population of South Sudan has access to an improved water source, such as a hand pump, a protected well or – for a small minority – piped water supply.
Although the White Nile runs through the country, water is scarce during the dry season in areas that are not located on the river; about half the population does not have access to an improved water source.
Against this background, the country can thus ill-afford another costly, senseless civil war that will not only undo eight years of rebuilding efforts but open avenues for foreigners to exploit its oil wealth.
The United Nations has called for political dialogue to end the crisis and the Ugandan government says its president has been asked by the UN to mediate between the two sides.
A delegation of East African foreign ministers is due to fly to Juba to try to arrange talks. We hope the overtures bear fruits because Africa needs a break from being stereotyped as a continent of war, famine and disease. The parties in South Sudan should sit down and resolve their differences amicably without resorting to war. They owe it to their country and future generations.
Online Reporter