Parties should embrace dialogue to break current political deadlock

The recent house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, and a plethora of his party and military officials has raised fears of the country descending into another conflict.

The transitional unity government led by President Salva Kiir, has accused Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in opposition (SPLM/A-IO) of stirring rebellion in Upper Nile State, particularly in Nasir and Ulang Counties.

This followed intense fighting since mid-February between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the White Army militia.

Despite the White Army militia-a local community defense group having fought alongside the SPLM/A-IO during the 2013 conflict, the SPLM/A-IO denies working with it to instigate fighting in Nasir.

The parties to the fragile 2018 revitalized peace agreement have opportunity to give dialogue a chance to end the current political impasse.

The recent visit of the AU Council of the Wise, should interest the belligerent parties to resolve their internal differences amicably, because all the eyes in the region are on South Sudan.

Any serious escalation by one of the belligerent parties could trigger another deadly conflict. Therefore,  dialogue remains the only viable solution to prevent the country from returning to war.