By RFIPalled on 18-09-2018Modified on 18-09-2018 at 16:34

Less than a week after its signing, the new peace agreement is already in danger in South Sudan. Fighting has erupted in the south of the country and several rebel groups have dissociated themselves from the compromise that is weakening.

For several weeks, SPLM-IO rebels have accused the army of conducting an offensive in Yei River State. Riek Machar's group had questioned the government in July and early September, in full peace negotiations. Charges reiterated only hours after the agreement signed in Addis Ababa on September 12. What the government denies.

Nevertheless, the ceasefire monitoring mechanism announced that it had launched an investigation, while reminding the belligerents of their commitments. For Edmund Yakani, of the CEPO organization, the recent fighting is due to the " delay in transmission of directives " between headquarters and ground troops. The NGO asks the leaders to give clear orders to their men to respect the agreement.

At a funeral ceremony, President Salva Kiir, who denies any offensive by his army, said he called Riek Machar directly to find out why the rebels attacked. The ceasefire ratified in June was repeatedly violated, without being formally denounced. But these battles, while the peace has just been signed, recall the failures of previous agreements. Especially since several rebel leaders have already denounced the Addis Ababa compromise. Five of them criticized a text between elites and for elites. What weaken a little more the situation.

    On the same subject

    South Sudan: a crucial pre-transition for peace-building

    South Sudan: What does the new peace agreement provide?

    [Reportage] The two great figures of South Sudan have signed peace

    South Sudan: IGAD meets to discuss final points of disagreement

    comments

    Republish this content

    You are free to republish this article for free on your website. We ask you to follow these Basic Rules

    The Partner undertakes not to infringe the moral rights of journalists. As such, the Content must be reproduced and represented by the Partner as made available by RFI, without modifications, cuts, additions, incrustations, alterations, reductions or insertions

    Add this article to your website by copying the code below.

    Copy to clipboard