On Wednesday, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc in Eastern Africa, held a virtual heads of state meeting to discuss the ongoing political and security crisis in South Sudan. The meeting focused on addressing the recent instability and the future of the peace agreement that ended the country’s brutal five-year civil war in 2018.

The situation in South Sudan remains fragile, as President Salva Kiir has made significant political moves, dismissing three key ministers in his latest cabinet reshuffle. This decision is seen as part of an ongoing political crisis that threatens the fragile unity government established under the 2018 peace deal. Tensions have escalated within the government, further deepening divisions between political factions and raising concerns about the durability of the agreement.

In a dramatic turn of events, last week, South Sudanese security forces detained or placed under house arrest several prominent figures, including allies of First Vice President Riek Machar. Among those arrested was the petroleum minister, whose detention is linked to recent clashes in the Upper Nile state between government forces and an armed group known as the White Army. These conflicts have exacerbated the already tense situation in the country, prompting international concern over the escalating violence.

Uganda, a key regional player, has expressed that it deployed special forces to Juba, South Sudan’s capital, to assist President Kiir in securing the city amid growing unrest. However, the South Sudanese government has denied these claims, further complicating the situation. The presence of foreign troops could escalate tensions within the country and among neighboring nations, with the potential to spark a wider regional conflict.

As the political and security situation continues to unravel, IGAD’s role in mediating and facilitating dialogue remains crucial. The bloc has reiterated its commitment to supporting the implementation of the peace agreement, but the road ahead for South Sudan remains uncertain, with the risk of renewed violence and the collapse of the fragile unity government still looming.

.