Airstrike in South Sudan escalates tensions amidst fragile peace agreement

South Sudan, the world's youngest country, is facing rising tensions as the government has ordered civilians to vacate a northern area following an airstrike against an armed group. This action came after alleged attacks on a U.N. helicopter and a military base in Nasir County by a group known as the White Army. The airstrike reportedly resulted in civilian casualties, adding to the ongoing unrest and highlighting the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. Tensions have significantly escalated in Upper Nile State, where government forces have been conducting operations against supporters of Machar, who has accused the government of targeting his political coalition to consolidate power. The political hostility stems from a civil war that erupted in 2013, leading to over 400,000 deaths and resulting in a fragile peace agreement signed in 2018. Observers fear that persistent ethnic and political tensions may trigger a return to widespread violence, which would further jeopardize stability in the already volatile region. The situation is further complicated by external factors, including the role of Ugandan troops who have previously intervened to support Kiir’s government. Uganda's involvement is viewed as a significant threat by some factions, already wary of the military dynamics within the region. Meanwhile, U.N. assistance has been hampered by various challenges, including violence and bureaucratic barriers, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. As civilians in affected areas face growing dangers from military actions, the government’s measures indicate an increasing willingness to utilize force in response to rising threats. With opposition groups warning that the peace agreement could collapse, the current developments signal a critical juncture for South Sudan’s quest for stability and governance.