South Sudan faces risk of civil war

(Baonghean) - At this time, South Sudan is facing the risk of civil war and a serious humanitarian crisis, as fighting between government troops and armed groups breaks out strongly. So after 2 and a half years of separating from Sudan to become an independent country, South Sudan is still a poor and unstable country due to ethnic conflicts and power struggles. This is really a difficult problem to solve for the world's youngest country.

The conflict in South Sudan has escalated in recent days, causing great concern to the international community. At least 500 people have been killed and tens of thousands have been forced to flee their homes in just over a week. As armed groups have taken over some key areas in South Sudan such as Jonglei and Unity states, the fighting has become more intense, as the government army is increasing its forces to regain control of these areas.

South Sudan government troops. Photo: Reuters

The current situation is due to long-simmering factional and ethnic conflicts. Last July, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir decided to dissolve the Cabinet and remove Vice President Riek Machar from office because he publicly criticized the government and was accused of plotting a coup. This decision sparked a conflict between two groups of soldiers - one from the Dinka tribe loyal to President Salva Kiir and one from the Nuer tribe of former Vice President Riek Machar. As a result, South Sudan fell into a state of uncontrolled security. Many countries such as the US, UK, Germany... have sent planes to evacuate their citizens from South Sudan, but these planes are also becoming targets of attack. For example, on December 21, a US plane was hit by bullets, injuring four US soldiers. Even the base of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan was attacked on December 19.

Clearly, South Sudan is facing a difficult problem because the story of ethnic conflicts and power struggles cannot be resolved "overnight". However, if the violence continues, South Sudan will fall into a bloody civil war. Looking back nearly 2 and a half years ago, when South Sudan separated from Sudan to become an independent country, the people of South Sudan thought that they had ended 2 decades of war, but it seems that they have only stepped from one "tragedy" to another "tragedy" where there is still conflict and bloodshed.

Admittedly, two and a half years is too short a time to make a difference in a young country like South Sudan. To date, South Sudan remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with an economy that relies heavily on oil exports, while its infrastructure is weak and it is almost entirely dependent on its “transit neighbor” Sudan. Economic difficulties combined with political discord will become two tightening pincers, making it difficult for South Sudan to “recover” on the thorny path to stability and security and nation building.

In the current context, the only way to help this country end the conflict is to seek opportunities for national reconciliation. Perhaps the South Sudanese government is also aware of this, so South Sudanese President Salva Kiir announced: he agreed to participate in an "unconditional dialogue" with the anti-government faction. In addition, the United Nations and the United States are also trying to find a peaceful solution to stabilize the situation in this East African country. South Sudan's neighboring countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia... have also proposed the role of mediator to prevent the crisis in South Sudan from spreading to the entire region. These things really open up opportunities for the factions in South Sudan to sit at the negotiating table, ending the hostilities. The important thing is whether the factions in South Sudan can seize the opportunity to escape the shadow of civil war or not!

Vu Thu Ha