Diplomats Urge Release of Political Detainees to Restore Peace in South Sudan
The violence in Nasir erupts a day after a presidency meeting agreed to ease tension in the region.
International Concern Over South Sudan’s Political Crisis
JUBA – Diplomatic missions in South Sudan have jointly expressed deep concern over politically motivated violence and are calling for the immediate release of political detainees. This urgent appeal aims to facilitate dialogue and prevent the country from sliding back into civil war.
Joint Statement from Western Diplomats
A press statement issued on April 10 by the Embassies of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union Delegation stated: “We reaffirm our concern over continued politically driven violence in South Sudan, repeated violations of the ceasefire, and the absence of visible efforts by the transitional government to restore and maintain peace.”
Key Demands from International Community
The diplomatic missions emphasized three critical demands:
- Immediate release of political detainees to enable direct dialogue
- Urgent rescheduling of the postponed 40th session of peace monitoring R-JMEC
- No unilateral actions that could jeopardize the 2018 peace agreement
Deteriorating Security Situation
South Sudan’s security and political landscape has significantly worsened since February 2025, with violence erupting in Upper Nile, Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and cantonment sites in Central Equatoria. The United Nations has warned that the country is on the brink of another civil war.
Regional Peace Efforts and Internal Divisions
Regional leaders including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Kenyan Envoy Raila Odinga have recently visited Juba to mediate the crisis. However, prospects for dialogue have been complicated by a new split within the SPLM-IO opposition party.
Leadership Crisis in SPLM-IO
On April 8, a Juba-based faction appointed Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol as interim chairperson, a move condemned by SPLM-IO Deputy Chairman Oyet Nathaniel. This development comes amid the continued house arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
Nathaniel has denounced the interim leadership appointment as a violation of the 2018 peace agreement and called on peace guarantors to protect the pact from being undermined.
This article summarizes an original report from Eye Radio. Read the full report here.