Two days of fighting between South Sudan’s army and opposition forces have raised fresh concerns over the country’s shaky peace process.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) on Thursday accused government troops of attacking its positions in Western Equatoria and Upper Nile states. A group spokesperson said one rebel fighter and two soldiers were killed, with several others wounded.
SPLA-IO called the attacks a violation of the 2018 accord intended to end the civil war between President Salva Kiir’s government and forces loyal to his former deputy, Riek Machar.
Tensions have climbed since March amid army operations in civilian areas, according to local reports. Allegations of Ugandan support for government forces have further stoked fears of renewed conflict.
Machar—now vice president in the power-sharing government—was detained in March after criticizing reported Ugandan involvement, the opposition says. The UN warned at the time that his arrest risked pushing the country back toward widespread violence.