Norway’s ambassador to South Sudan has warned the country is “on the brink of conflict,” urging its leaders to urgently recommit to peace.
Roar Haugsdal said a resurgence of clashes in several regions signalled a “dangerous turn” and that it would be an “appalling tragedy” to see a return to widespread armed conflict.
His comments were made at a civil society forum in the capital, Juba.
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, has been plagued by violence for years.
A civil war that erupted in 2013, just two years after independence, cost hundreds of thousands of lives before a fragile peace agreement was signed in 2018.
Speaking on Wednesday, Ambassador Haugsdal delivered a stark message to the country’s political leaders.
“Enough is enough. South Sudan has already seen too much violence. It is time to turn the page,” he said.
He urged parties to the peace agreement to “embrace dialogue” and pull the country “back from the brink” as the formal transitional period nears its end.
The Norwegian diplomat stressed that honest engagement was no longer optional but “a necessity” for restoring public confidence and establishing democracy.
A significant portion of his address focused on the role of grassroots communities in building lasting peace, describing faith leaders, youth networks, women’s groups and traditional authorities as the true foundation of stability.
“Real lasting peace is established at the grassroots level by individuals… mediating disputes, comforting neighbours and leading by example,” he stated.
Norway, he added, prioritises inclusive peace-building efforts that empower these networks.
However, Haugsdal said these efforts could only thrive if the government fostered an environment where civil society and the media could operate freely and hold leaders accountable.
“This is not about funding or government-led initiatives,” he said. “It is about allowing all dissent and different voices… and building impartial institutions that are responsive to the needs of the population, not the minister at the top.”
Despite the grave concerns, the ambassador said his optimism was grounded in the resilience of South Sudanese communities.
He concluded that with “courage, dialogue and inclusivity,” the country could successfully transition from conflict to a lasting peace, leading to democracy and development.
The stakeholder dialogue in Juba was organised by the Center for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice in partnership with UN Women and the South Sudan Civil Society Forum.