Link to article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/18/un-calls-for-calm-as-violence-flares-in-south-sudan
The UN has urged calm following violent clashes in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state on February 14-15, involving the national military (SSPSF) and armed youth. The fighting led to civilian deaths and injuries, including a wounded UN peacekeeper. Heavy weaponry was reportedly used, though casualty figures remain unclear. UN envoy Nicholas Haysom condemned the violence and called for restraint. The UN also warned of rising tensions in Western Equatoria. South Sudan, plagued by instability since its 2011 independence, struggles to unify its armed forces as required by a 2018 peace deal, delaying long-awaited elections.
The article highlights ongoing instability in South Sudan, where clashes erupted between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and armed youth in Upper Nile state, resulting in civilian casualties and injuring a peacekeeper. The violence underscores the persistent political and ethnic tensions that continue to plague South Sudan after its 2011 independence. The UN’s call for calm emphasizes the international community’s role in peacekeeping and the necessity of a unified armed force. The historical context of civil war, political rivalry, and delays in unification of the military contribute to the region’s fragile peace, impacting both domestic and international stability.
The United Nations would call for calm and an immediate end to violence, urging all parties to exercise restraint, especially regarding attacks on peacekeepers. President Salva Kiir’s government might emphasize national security and defending the country against armed groups, while acknowledging the need for unity. Armed youth groups could claim they are fighting for their rights or against perceived injustices. The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPSF) may defend their actions as necessary for stability and national security. International actors, including humanitarian groups, might stress the urgent need for peace and the protection of civilians caught in the conflict.
The article illustrates the concept of sovereignty and how internal conflicts can affect a nation’s stability. The UN peacekeeping mission (UNMISS) exemplifies multilateral efforts in addressing humanitarian crises and supporting state-building. South Sudan’s struggle to form a unified military reflects the challenge of nation-building post-conflict, a key issue in International Relations. Furthermore, the presence of ethnic conflict and violence challenges state sovereignty and illustrates how international law and peace agreements may fail to resolve deep-rooted tensions.