South Sudan has witnessed the arrests of the Oil Minister and Deputy Army Chief, allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar, amidst fears of jeopardizing the fragile peace agreement. Ongoing clashes in the Upper Nile State exacerbate tensions, prompting calls for international intervention. The political landscape remains fraught as actions by President Kiir further threaten the stability of the unity government established post-civil war.
In South Sudan, significant concern has arisen following the arrest of the Oil Minister and the Deputy Head of the Army, both of whom are allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar. This development is seen as a potential threat to the fragile peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war in 2018 between President Salva Kiir and Machar.
The tensions have escalated, particularly in the Upper Nile State, where violent clashes have occurred between the government forces and Machar’s allied rebels. Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth reported that a government garrison had been taken over by these rebel forces, indicating an ongoing conflict. He accused the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by Machar, of collaborating with the armed youth group known as the White Army.
In a move that raises alarms regarding the peace process, two close associates of Machar have been detained following the attack on the government garrison. Despite the surround of his residence by military forces, Machar was reported to be in his office the next day. The instability resulting from this incident poses a significant risk to the integrity of the existing peace agreement between Kiir and Machar.
Since the onset of civil war in 2013, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 400,000 people, numerous elements of the peace agreement remain incomplete. These include the unification of armed forces, constitutional duties, and electoral processes, while the country continues to grapple with extreme poverty despite its oil resources.
Machar’s spokesperson condemned the arrests as a violation of the peace pact, urging international partners for intervention to prevent a return to widespread violence. The situation has drawn the attention of the United Nations, which warned of escalating clashes involving heavy armament and fatalities.
Furthermore, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development has expressed concern that ongoing clashes might undermine the very hard-won advancements achieved through the peace agreement, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian conditions in the region. Recent political actions by President Kiir, including dismissals of vice-presidents without consulting other political stakeholders, have drawn criticism and analysis indicating that these moves are aimed at consolidating his power, potentially sidelining Machar.
In context, political analysts like Abraham Kuol Nyuon of the University of Juba suggest that South Sudan is on the verge of another conflict, stressing the need for dialogue and cooperation among leaders to avoid a regression into violence, prioritizing the welfare of the South Sudanese people.
The recent arrests of key figures associated with South Sudan’s First Vice-President Riek Machar signify a troubling escalation in political tensions that risks destabilizing the existing peace arrangement. With ongoing clashes in the Upper Nile State and incomplete elements of the peace agreement, the potential for renewed conflict looms. Calls for international intervention highlight the precarious state of affairs and underline the necessity for dialogue among leaders to ensure stability and prevent a humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.newsofbahrain.com
