NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE NEED FOR INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE WARRING FACTIONS IN SOUTH SUDAN TO END THE CONFLICT THERE, BY GEORGE ASEKERE, A JOURNALIST.

To described some of the stories that have emerged in the aftermath of military takeovers, ordinary change in regimes and even traditional rulers in most parts of  the developing world as blatantly hilarious, is to state the obvious. The legacy of trauma emanating from memories of torture and rape; the feeling of being dejected, rejected, disappointed, and the attendant health implications that wars have brought to humanity should not be taken lightly. The world has become a global village hence what happens in Syria, Angola, South Sudan, Israel, Palestine and the Central African Republic must be of concern to all. Particularly disturbing is the ongoing bloodshed in the World’s youngest country- South Sudan. Since fighting between government forces and rebels broke out in the South Sudan’s capital Juba on 15^th December 2013, about 413, thousand people have been displaced whilst 66,500 others have sought refuge at various UN compounds across the country. According to the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, the death toll from the fighting is approaching 10,000. What makes these figures worrisome is the fact that the entire country’s population is estimated at five million. Disputes within South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, SPLM, erupted in July 2013 when President Salva Kiir sacked his cabinet, including his vice Riek  Machar, who openly declared his intention to seek the party’s leadership. International observers did not see this as the beginning of bloody clashes in south Sudan considering the fact that the country gained independence from Sudan only in July 2011 taking with it three quarters of oil production. It therefore came as surprise when violence broke out on December 15 with gunshots at a meeting of the ruling party in the capital Juba. As should be expected President Salva Kiir accused his former vice Reik Machar who has the support of the rebels, of trying to stage a coup. Although Mr. Machar denied the charge 11 prominent politicians, including the former secretary-general of the ruling SPLM and former Cabinet Affairs Minister who were sacked along Reik Machar and are loyal to him were arrested and detained. The magnitude of the conflict is further compounded by the demand for the release of the political detainees on the part of the rebels as precondition for ceasefire and the unwillingness of the government to do. Equally worrying is the categorical stand taken by President Kiir that power sharing is not an option. War, our elders say is the sport of kings and is not done so long as the enemy lives. Unfortunately this is not the case in South Sudan. The continuous use of violent force against civilians, particularly women and children, disrespect on the part of South Sudanese security forces and other armed groups for human rights regardless of ethnic origin or political affiliation and worse of it all indiscriminate killings and targeted attacks on aid workers thus hampering delivery of aid, only affirms the assertion that when two elephants fight, the innocent grass suffers. It is pathetic that the warring factions have expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, yet are failing to yield to international pressure to sign a ceasefire deal to end the conflict. In a matter of about two months thousands of south Sudanese have been killed, tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes, and some are trapped in neighbouring Central African Republic where that interim government in Bangui is also facing security challenges. Mediators and the rest of the international community including the African Union, the United Nations, and the so called super powers of the world should consider activating force, as they did in Mali, Libya, Cote d’Ivoire and other places, since perseverance appears to be failing. The bottom line after all is that the people of Sudan are more important than the two leaders. South Sudan's political leaders must return to the spirit and promises of freedom, peace and prosperity that they promised the people less than three years ago when the new nation was born. Hope is not lost yet. What is needed is peace, reconciliation and assistance to the displaced families to return home and continue rebuilding their lives, and their country, once again. Already the conflict has led to damage of oil pumping facilities in South Sudan’s Unity State and this has caused a sharp drop in oil production from 245,000 barrels per day to only 200,000 barrels per day and still falling. This could have micro economic implications for Ghana hence we must be worry of development in South Sudan and other oil producing countries. The religious across the globe should also intensify their prayers to help end the escalating violence in South Sudan.

GBC/GIA.