Recent arrests of South Sudan’s oil minister and army deputy head, allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar, raise concerns about the stability of the fragile peace agreement. Ongoing clashes in Upper Nile State and political maneuvers by President Salva Kiir threaten to rekindle conflict. International intervention has been called for to mitigate the escalating tensions and prioritize dialogue.
South Sudan has experienced significant political upheaval as government forces arrest high-ranking officials closely associated with First Vice-President Riek Machar. Those detained include Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam amidst escalating tensions that threaten the fragile peace established since the end of the civil war in 2018. The country, still struggling with the repercussions of a conflict that resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities, now faces renewed instability.
The arrests follow violent clashes in Upper Nile State, where fighting has intensified between government forces and Machar’s supporters, who correlate with the White Army—a group of armed youths from Machar’s ethnic community, the Nuer. Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth accused Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) of orchestrating these violent outbreaks alongside the White Army, calling the situation a direct threat to the power-sharing agreement.
Despite Machar’s absence from his residence during the raids, army forces have strategically surrounded his home and conducted arrests at his associates’ residences. Spokesperson Sirir Gabriel Yiei Ruot condemned the arrests as unjustified. The SPLM-IO responded affirmatively regarding the detentions and noted how these actions contravene existing peace agreements, stressing the need for international intervention to avert a return to widespread violence.
Ongoing instability has prompted concern from the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). They have highlighted the detrimental potential these clashes possess for both the peace efforts and the dire humanitarian circumstances faced by the nation. The situation is additionally exacerbated by political maneuverings by President Salva Kiir, seeking to consolidate power at the expense of Machar and his faction, which only heightens the urgency of restoring dialogue and cooperation.
Analysts, such as Abraham Kuol Nyuon from the University of Juba, caution that South Sudan stands at the precipice of profound conflict, urging leaders to prioritize dialogue over aggression while reflecting on the welfare of the South Sudanese people. Political moves to sideline opponents are viewed with concern, as they threaten not only the peace agreement but also the broader stability of the nation.
The arrests of key officials in South Sudan signal a troubling shift in the political landscape that jeopardizes the fragile peace agreement established post-civil war. With rising military conflicts in Upper Nile State and politically motivated actions by President Kiir, the country faces the risk of renewed violence. Urgent calls for international intervention and prioritization of peaceful dialogue are essential for averting further escalation and ensuring the stability of South Sudan.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
