South Sudanese forces have detained the petroleum minister and several military officials aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar, raising concerns about the stability of the peace deal following civil unrest. The arrests stem from intense fighting in Nasir between national forces and the White Army militia. Experts warn that, without effective leadership intervention, the nation may revert to violence.
On Wednesday, South Sudanese forces arrested the petroleum minister and several senior military officials aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar, as indicated by Machar’s spokesperson. This development has raised concerns about the stability of a peace deal that concluded the civil war. The apprehensions are the result of escalating violence in the strategic town of Nasir, where national forces are engaged in conflict with the White Army militia, primarily composed of members from Machar’s ethnic group, the Nuer.
Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chol and deputy army chief Gabriel Doup Lam were detained, with other military officials linked to Machar under house arrest. Spokesperson Puok Both Baluang stated, “As of now, there’s not any reason provided to us that led to the arrest or the detention of (these) officials.” He noted that while South Sudanese troops have been stationed around Machar’s residence, he managed to reach his office that morning.
The South Sudanese civil conflict, which occurred shortly after the country gained independence in 2011, resulted in an estimated 400,000 fatalities and displaced 2.5 million people. Even though a peace agreement reached in 2018 has largely maintained a cessation of widespread hostilities, localized violence persists. Recently, the African Union and the United Nations urged de-escalation in Upper Nile State, warning of the risk of significant violence.
Ter Manyang, director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy in Juba, associated the arrests with the ongoing conflict in Nasir. He expressed his concerns for the nation’s stability, stating that without effective management from the country’s leadership, “The country is likely to slide to war. ” This situation continues to unfold, with significant implications for the peace and security landscape in South Sudan.
The recent detentions in South Sudan highlight a precarious moment for the nation, as tensions rise amid ongoing violence. The arrests of key military and governmental figures linked to First Vice President Riek Machar threaten the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement that ended the civil war. The situation necessitates urgent attention and action from the leadership to prevent a resurgence of conflict, as expressed by observers like Ter Manyang, who fears a slide back into war if leadership does not stabilize the current crisis.
Original Source: www.newsbreak.com
