Elite Recyclement or Generational Change: South Sudan’s Critical Juncture

on 16 aPril 2025, during what is Perceived as an existential crisis of the south sudanese Peace Process, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Nicolas Haysom, gave one of his regular briefings to the UN Security Council.He said:All our efforts are now focused on preventing a relapse into widespread conflict and refocusing attention on the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.During my last update, I warned of an emerging standoff between the two pre-eminent parties to the Agreement.This has now degenerated into direct military confrontation and escalated tensions across the country. 1 His remarks are exemplary in reflecting a broader international concern that South Sudan is once again teetering on the brink of a nationwide civil war, allegedly driven by escalating tensions between the government and opposition forces. 2Over recent months, clashes in Upper Nile and parts of the Equatorias, renewed defections, and a deteriorating humanitarian situation have reinforced fears that the 2018 Revitalized Agreement is unravelling.International attention has thus coalesced around efforts to 'rescue' the