South Sudan has detained Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and several military officials allied with Vice President Riek Machar, jeopardizing the 2018 peace agreement. The spokesperson for Machar indicated a lack of clarity regarding the reasons for the detentions. Amidst heightened tensions, Machar was still able to travel to his office despite military presence around his residence.
Recently, the government of South Sudan has detained Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol along with several senior military officials who are affiliated with First Vice President Riek Machar. This action raises concerns over the stability of the peace deal that was established in 2018, which officially ended a five-year-long civil war between Machar and President Salva Kiir. Despite the peace agreement, the relationship between Machar and Kiir remains strained, with sporadic violence among rival communities continuing to emerge.
The spokesperson for Machar, Puok Both Baluang, confirmed that alongside Minister Chol, the deputy head of the army was also arrested, while other military officials allied with Machar were put under house arrest. Baluang emphasized that there has been no explanation given for these detentions thus far. Despite these tensions, he reported that Machar was able to travel to his office on Wednesday morning, although South Sudanese troops surrounded his residence, reinforcing worries over his safety and the current political climate.
The situation in South Sudan has escalated, casting doubt on the viability of the existing peace agreement. The detention of high-ranking officials close to Machar signals potential shifts in power dynamics within the country, which could lead to unrest and further complications for a region still healing from years of conflict. The international community has expressed concerns regarding the implications of these actions on overall stability in South Sudan and the peace process going forward.
The recent detainment of South Sudan’s oil minister and several military officials linked to Vice President Riek Machar escalates tensions in the country, potentially threatening the fragile peace established in 2018. Despite ongoing unrest, including military presence around Machar’s residence, he managed to attend his office, highlighting the uncertainty of the political landscape. This development demands close observation as it may influence future stability in South Sudan.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
