South Sudan has detained its Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and several senior military officials tied to First Vice President Riek Machar, raising alarms about the peace deal established in 2018 that ended a civil war. Machar’s representative reported that the officials have not been provided any reasons for their detention, indicating significant political unrest.
In a significant political development, South Sudanese authorities have detained the Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang Chol, along with several senior military officials affiliated with First Vice President Riek Machar. This action raises concerns about the stability of the peace deal established in 2018, which ended a devastating five-year civil conflict between President Salva Kiir and Machar, a conflict that resulted in the loss of countless lives.
The spokesperson for Machar, Puok Both Baluang, reported that in addition to Minister Chol, the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Army was also arrested, while other senior military figures supporting Machar have been placed under house arrest. As stated by Baluang, “As of now, there’s not any reason provided to us that led to the arrest or the detention of (these) officials.”
Despite the tensions, it was noted that South Sudanese troops have been deployed around Machar’s residence. However, the Vice President was able to proceed to his office on the morning following the arrests. The ongoing volatility and rivalries within the political landscape suggest that the fragile state of peace in South Sudan remains precarious.
The recent detentions in South Sudan of the Petroleum Minister and various military officials affiliated with First Vice President Riek Machar illuminate the underlying tensions that continue to affect the nation’s stability. This sudden development poses a potential threat to the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement that ended years of conflict between Machar and President Salva Kiir, focusing attention on the need for continued diplomatic efforts and conflict resolution in the region.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
