Somalia's President Hassan Shiekh Mahmoud. (Photo: Reuters).

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud said he held phone conversations with President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar regarding the security situation in South Sudan and underscored urgent need for dialogue to prevent further escalation.

Violent clashes erupted in Nasir on March 4 between SSPDF and heavily armed local youths, who overran a military base and later assassinated a top commander and a United Nations staff during evacuation efforts.

The incident – which erupted barely hours after a high-level presidency meeting resolved to ease tension in the region – now threatens to derail gains made in the 2018 peace agreement which ended five years of devastating civil war.

In Juba, some top SPLM-IO ministers and officers including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang and Deputy Chief of Defense Force Duop Lam have been detained for allegedly being in conflict with the law.

The opposition group has called for the release of its political and military detainees who it said were “arbitrarily arrested”.

In statement on Sunday, President Mohamud said South Sudan stability is integral to the peace and security of the wider region.

“I conveyed Somalia’s deep concern over the recent developments and underscored the urgent need for dialogue to prevent further escalation,” he stated.

President Mahamoud, who came to power in May 2022 and later oversaw his country’s admission to the East African Community (EAC), emphasized to the South Sudanese leaders the importance of sustained dialogue and cooperation as the surest path to foster peace and stability in South Sudan

Sheikh said the region remains committed to supporting efforts that will leader to a peaceful resolution.

He went on to assure both leaders of the regional consultation to explore what he said viable solutions that will ensure a stable and prosperous South Sudan.

President Sheikh added that Somalia “stand in full solidarity with the people of South Sudan during this critical time” as country actively engage in efforts aimed at securing a peaceful and stable future for their nation.

The situation has prompted regional and international diplomats and multilateral organizations to file on the South Sudanese leaders to ease tension and rescue the country from sliding back to civil war.