Fears for South Sudan’s peace agreement rise as allies of Vice-President Riek Machar are arrested amid violent clashes. Arrests of key officials, including the oil minister and deputy army chief, signal escalating tensions that threaten to destabilize the unity government established in 2018. The international community urges restraint and dialogue to avoid a return to conflict.
The situation in South Sudan has become increasingly precarious following the arrest of key allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar, prompting concerns about the stability of the country’s fragile peace agreement. The arrests involved Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam, both of whom are closely affiliated with Machar, who had previously engaged in a power-sharing deal to end a civil war in 2018. The ongoing violent clashes in the northeastern Upper Nile State further exacerbate these tensions, raising fears of a return to conflict.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth reported that rebels associated with Machar’s movement attacked a government garrison, leading to the unrest. He accused the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) of colluding with the White Army, a group of armed youths from the Nuer community to which Machar belongs. The SPLM-IO later confirmed the detention of its leaders, while Machar’s residence was notably surrounded by military forces during this tumultuous period.
The historical context of the conflict is significant, as the civil war, which erupted just two years post-independence from Sudan, resulted in the loss of approximately 400,000 lives. As the peace agreement remains largely unfulfilled—lacking constitutional development, the execution of elections, and armed forces integration—the nation’s poverty persists despite its oil wealth. The SPLM-IO has voiced that the arrests undermine the peace process, urging international intervention to maintain stability in South Sudan.
The United Nations has expressed concerns regarding escalating violence in Upper Nile State and the implications of heavy weaponry usage. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) also warned that the ongoing clashes pose a threat to the gains made under the peace agreement, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. In light of recent political maneuvers by President Salva Kiir, which included the dismissal of vice-presidents without wider consultation, analysts suggest the potential for renewed conflict looms.
Scholarly perspectives, such as that of Dr. Abraham Kuol Nyuon from the University of Juba, indicate that unless the leaders embrace dialogue and prioritize the welfare of South Sudan’s populace, the cycle of aggression may continue, leading to another devastating conflict.
The recent arrests of key political figures in South Sudan signify a critical point in the nation’s already fragile peace process, previously established to end civil unrest. The ongoing violence, compounded by political machinations from President Kiir, raises alarming concerns about a potential return to widespread conflict. International calls for restraint and dialogue highlight the urgent need for constructive engagement to secure the peace and address the substantial humanitarian needs of the South Sudanese people.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
