The South Sudanese government has arrested key allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar, amid rising tensions that threaten the peace agreement established in 2018. Violent clashes in Upper Nile highlights the instability, as further arrests have prompted calls for international intervention to prevent a recurrence of civil war.
In South Sudan, the government has arrested key allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar, specifically the oil minister and the deputy head of the army, amidst increasing concerns regarding the country’s fragile peace agreement. This comes in the wake of unrest within the unity government formed post the civil war.
The power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Machar, established in 2018 after a five-year civil war, is under severe strain due to rising tensions and violent clashes, particularly in Upper Nile State. Reports indicate that the government is engaged in ongoing conflicts with rebels allegedly supported by Machar.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth announced that rebel forces temporarily overtook a government garrison, intensifying fears of instability. He further claimed that Machar’s forces are collaborating with the so-called White Army, an ethnic militia, which exacerbates the conflict.
Two close associates of Machar, General Gabriel Duop Lam and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, have been detained. Additionally, the army has surrounded Machar’s residence, raising alarms regarding the future of the peace agreement.
The civil war, which erupted in 2013, resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities, with unresolved peace framework elements still in the balance, including constitutional reforms and unified military forces. Calls for international intervention have been made as Machar’s spokesperson underscores the arrests as a blatant violation of the peace deal, potentially jeopardizing the entire agreement.
In light of increasing violence, characterized by heavy weaponry use, the United Nations, alongside the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, expressed grave concern regarding the negative implications for peace and humanitarian conditions in the region. Political maneuvers by President Kiir, including the dismissal of two vice-presidents without consultation, appear to be consolidating his power at the expense of Machar.
Experts suggest that without constructive dialogue between the leaders, South Sudan risks descending into renewed conflict, with analysts emphasizing the urgency for cooperation focused on the nation’s welfare.
The ongoing arrests of senior officials linked to First Vice-President Riek Machar pose significant risks to South Sudan’s delicate peace agreement. The escalating violence, combined with political maneuvers from President Salva Kiir, signals a potential return to conflict. Continued international oversight and intervention may be critical to avert further deterioration of the situation and uphold the hard-won peace.
Original Source: www.newsofbahrain.com
