South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed Upper Nile governor James Odhok Oyay following conflicts with an ethnic militia allied to First Vice President Riek Machar. This decision has caused unrest within Machar’s party, escalating fears of a return to civil war in the region. The government has accused the SPLM-IO of links to the militia, while the UN estimates significant displacement of people due to ongoing violence.
President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has dismissed Upper Nile governor James Odhok Oyay following increased clashes between government forces and an ethnic militia. The militia is believed to be aligned with Kiir’s rival, First Vice President Riek Machar. The tensions escalated when the White Army militia forced government troops to retreat from the town of Nasir, close to the Ethiopian border.
Kiir’s administration has detained several officials from Machar’s party, the SPLM-IO, including key members such as the petroleum minister and the army’s deputy head. This escalating standoff raises concerns that South Sudan, having emerged from a civil war seven years prior, may regress into renewed conflict.
In a formal announcement broadcasted on state television, Kiir replaced Oyay with Lieutenant General James Koang Chuol, who is also from Nasir. Oyay’s removal has sparked discontent within the SPLM-IO, leading the party to partially withdraw from the 2018 peace agreement in protest.
Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, characterized Oyay’s dismissal as a significant breach of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, highlighting the unilateral action taken by Kiir. Information Minister Michael Makuei countered, asserting that Oyay was dismissed to restore peace to the region and accused Machar’s party of undermining the peace process.
The government has alleged that SPLM-IO is connected to the White Army, composed mainly of armed Nuer youth who have fought alongside Machar in previous conflicts against Kiir’s Dinka troops. This claim has been denied by the SPLM-IO. In addition, the United Nations reported that around 50,000 individuals have been displaced due to fighting around Nasir since late February, signifying that South Sudan is perilously close to a resurgence of civil war.
The dismissal of Upper Nile governor James Odhok Oyay by President Salva Kiir escalates the existing conflict in South Sudan, further destabilizing an already fragile peace. The actions have drawn criticism from the SPLM-IO and raised alarms regarding the potential for renewed civil war in the region. With ongoing military tensions and thousands displaced, the international community remains watchful of South Sudan’s precarious situation.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
