The fragile peace in South Sudan faces renewed threats after an airstrike by the South Sudanese Air Force killed at least 19 people in Nasir, an eastern town
The fragile peace in South Sudan faces renewed threats after an airstrike by the South Sudanese Air Force killed at least 19 people in Nasir, an eastern town near the Ethiopian border. The attack, which occurred less than two weeks after government forces withdrew, has escalated tensions with the White Army militia and raised fears of a return to full-scale civil war.
The airstrike hit Nasir, a hotspot for recent clashes between government forces and the White Army, a militia primarily composed of armed Nuer youths. This group has played a key role in South Sudan’s turbulent history. The renewed violence threatens to reignite the devastating civil war that lasted from 2013 to 2018, killing hundreds of thousands and displacing millions.
Residents described widespread panic and destruction. “We heard the planes, and then the bombs started falling. People were running in all directions, but there was nowhere to hide,” said one eyewitness. The attack has drawn condemnation from local leaders and international observers, who fear the conflict could spiral out of control.
The airstrike came just two weeks after government forces withdrew following intense clashes with the White Army. While the withdrawal aimed to de-escalate tensions, the attack undermined those efforts. Analysts believe the government’s decision to launch an airstrike signals an attempt to reassert control, but it risks further alienating locals and fueling the conflict.
The White Army, historically aligned with opposition forces, accused the government of targeting civilians. “This is not just an attack on the White Army; it is an attack on our people,” said a militia spokesperson. The group has vowed retaliation, raising concerns that a cycle of violence could push the country back into chaos.
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South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, has struggled for lasting peace since gaining independence in 2011. The 2013-2018 civil war erupted after a fallout between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar, leading to ethnic violence, human rights abuses, and widespread suffering. Although a peace agreement was signed in 2018, its implementation has been slow and fragile.
The Nasir clashes highlight the peace process’s fragility. Many fear that violence could spread, reigniting the ethnic divisions that fueled past conflicts. “We are on the brink of another civil war,” warned a local humanitarian worker. “If the international community does not intervene, the consequences could be catastrophic.”
The escalating violence has prompted urgent calls for international action. Human rights organizations have urged the United Nations and African Union to step in and prevent further bloodshed. “The people of South Sudan have suffered enough,” said an Amnesty International spokesperson. “The world cannot stand by and watch as this country falls into another cycle of violence.”
Mediation efforts have yielded little progress. The government claims the airstrike was necessary to combat armed groups threatening national security. However, critics argue that such actions only worsen the situation and undermine reconciliation efforts.
The situation in South Sudan remains volatile. The recent airstrike in Nasir has not only claimed lives but also shattered hopes for a peaceful future. For South Sudanese citizens, who have endured years of conflict, the prospect of renewed war is a nightmare they cannot afford to relive.
The international community must act swiftly to de-escalate tensions, hold those responsible for violence accountable, and support peace-building efforts. Without decisive action, South Sudan risks plunging back into war, with devastating consequences for its people and the region.
