President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has dismissed Upper Nile governor James Odhok Oyay following clashes between government forces and an ethnic militia. This situation raises fears of renewed conflict in the nation, already recovering from a devastating civil war. The SPLM-IO has condemned the dismissal as a breach of the peace agreement, while the government has accused them of collusion with the militia. Displacements due to violence continue to rise.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed Upper Nile state governor James Odhok Oyay amid rising tensions between government forces and an ethnic militia allied with Kiir’s political rival, First Vice-President Riek Machar. The sacking follows clashes in Nasir, where the White Army militia forced government troops to retreat. This situation heightens concerns over a potential relapse into conflict in a nation that has recently recovered from a devastating civil war.
In a televised decree, President Kiir appointed James Koang Chuol, a lieutenant general from Nasir, to replace Oyay. This decision has provoked backlash from the SPLM-IO party, which has partially withdrawn from the 2018 peace agreement due to the recent arrests of several of its members. Machar’s spokesperson criticized the dismissal as a breach of the peace accord.
Government officials accused the SPLM-IO of conspiring with the White Army, an armed group of ethnic Nuer youth that previously fought against Kiir’s predominantly ethnic Dinka forces in the civil war. The SPLM-IO has denied these allegations. The ongoing conflict around Nasir has resulted in the displacement of approximately 50,000 individuals since late February, with the UN expressing grave concerns about a looming civil war relapse.
In summary, President Kiir’s dismissal of Upper Nile state governor James Odhok Oyay amid escalating violence highlights the fragility of peace in South Sudan. The political tensions between Kiir and Riek Machar’s factions continue to threaten stability, particularly with significant civilian displacements reported. As the nation grapples with these challenges, the potential for renewed conflict remains a pressing concern.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
