South Sudan security forces loyal to President Kiir have released Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, a close associate of First Vice President Riek Machar. This development occurred amidst heightened tensions and recent arrests of several officials linked to Machar, jeopardizing a fragile peace deal. The situation remains tense, particularly in the strategic town of Nasir.
South Sudan’s security forces, aligned with President Salva Kiir, have released Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, a significant associate of First Vice President Riek Machar. This follows the recent arrest of several senior officials, which has heightened tensions within the government. These arrests, occurring between Tuesday and Thursday, included the petroleum minister and the deputy head of the military, raising concerns about the stability of the peace agreement that ended a civil war between the factions led by Kiir and Machar.
Machar’s spokesman, Puok Both Baluang, confirmed that Minister Kuol and three of his staff were unlawfully detained but released early Friday morning. However, as of Friday, the petroleum minister and the deputy military head remain in custody, while security forces have also surrounded Machar’s residence. Despite the security presence, Machar was able to conduct his official duties.
These detentions followed recent violent confrontations in the crucial northern town of Nasir, where national forces clashed with the White Army militia—mostly comprised of members from the Nuer ethnic group, to which Machar belongs. The White Army had previously allied with Machar during the 2013-2018 civil conflict against predominantly Dinka troops loyal to Kiir.
The South Sudanese government has not issued any statements regarding the arrests. Information Minister Michael Makuei has implicated Machar’s forces in alleged collaboration with the White Army in an attack on a military garrison near Nasir. Nevertheless, Machar’s party has denied these allegations.
Since the peace agreement of 2018, which concluded a five-year conflict that resulted in substantial loss of life, South Sudan has experienced periods of relative calm yet remains susceptible to violence among competing communities. Notably, a meeting involving regional authorities, including IGAD, the United Nations, the African Union, and RJMEC, took place recently. They urged all parties to restore peace in the volatile Upper Nile State, where Nasir is situated.
In conclusion, the release of Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol highlights ongoing tensions within the South Sudanese government following recent arrests of key officials. While Kuol has been freed, concerns remain regarding the containment of violence and the stability of the peace agreement that has governed South Sudan since 2018. Continuous international engagement is vital to ensuring calm amid persistent threats of conflict.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
