President Salva Kiir has dismissed Upper Nile Governor James Odhok Oyay amid escalating clashes linked to a militia’s ties with Riek Machar. Kiir’s actions have intensified political tensions, leading to arrests within Machar’s SPLM-IO party. The situation has displaced thousands and raised fears of renewed conflict in South Sudan.
The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, has dismissed Upper Nile State Governor James Odhok Oyay amid escalating clashes between government forces and an ethnic militia. Kiir accuses this militia of aligning with his political adversary, First Vice President Riek Machar. The conflict intensified after the White Army militia forced government troops to retreat from Nasir, a strategic town near the Ethiopian border.
In reaction to the increasing tensions, Kiir’s government has arrested several members of Machar’s SPLM-IO party, including the petroleum minister and the deputy head of the army. This growing standoff raises alarms regarding South Sudan’s stability, being the world’s youngest nation that has only recently emerged from a brutal civil war that resulted in extensive loss of life.
A decree reportedly announced on state television indicated the removal of Oyay, a member of SPLM-IO, and his replacement with Lieutenant General James Koang Chuol, a native of Nasir. This action has sparked criticism from SPLM-IO, which has indicated its partial withdrawal from the 2018 peace agreement due to recent arrests.
Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, claimed the dismissal of Oyay represents a unilateral violation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement. Meanwhile, Information Minister Michael Makuei defended the action, stating it was a necessary step to restore peace in Upper Nile State, further accusing Machar’s party of undermining the peace deal.
The government has alleged that SPLM-IO maintains connections with the White Army, primarily composed of armed ethnic Nuer youths. Notably, SPLM-IO has denied such accusations. According to the United Nations, fighting around Nasir has displaced approximately 50,000 individuals since late February, highlighting concerns that South Sudan is on the brink of renewed civil conflict.
In summary, the recent dismissal of Upper Nile Governor James Odhok Oyay by President Salva Kiir, amid accusations of militia alignment with rival political factions, has heightened tensions in South Sudan. The arrests of SPLM-IO officials and subsequent retaliations reveal a precarious political landscape. As fighting intensifies and leads to significant displacements, there are growing fears that the nation may revert to civil war, reversing the progress made since the last conflict ended in 2018.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
