On Wednesday, South Sudan arrested key allies of Vice-President Riek Machar, including the Oil Minister and Deputy Army Chief, amidst escalating conflicts that jeopardize a fragile peace deal established in 2018. The ongoing clashes in Upper Nile State have alarmed officials about the stability of the unity government formed to end a five-year civil war. Experts warn of a potential return to conflict if tensions continue to rise without dialogue.
South Sudan has witnessed the arrest of Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol and Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam, key allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar, amid escalating tensions that threaten the fragile peace deal established after the civil war. This action follows violent confrontations in the Upper Nile State, sparking fears of a breakdown in the power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and Machar, which was intended to end years of conflict.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth reported that ongoing clashes in Upper Nile State involve Machar’s forces and opponents known as the White Army, a group linked to the Nuer ethnic community, which supports Machar. The government claims that these adversarial forces attacked a government garrison on Tuesday, intensifying fears about the stability of the unity government.
The arrests of Machar’s allies have prompted concerns about the state of the peace agreement, which has yet to see crucial implementations such as the drafting of a constitution and the unification of armed forces. Machar’s spokesperson has declared that these arrests violate the terms of the peace deal and urged international intervention to prevent potential violence resurgence.
The United Nations has noted an increase in clashes and casualties in Upper Nile State, pulling focus toward the dire humanitarian conditions in the region. Meanwhile, analysts have indicated that President Kiir’s recent political maneuvers, including the dismissal of two vice-presidents and further marginalizing Machar’s movement, may pave the way for deeper conflict in South Sudan, with some experts suggesting that the nation is at a critical juncture.
The recent arrests of top officials allied with First Vice-President Riek Machar signal worsening tensions in South Sudan, threatening the fragile power-sharing agreement formed post-civil war. This situation, combined with violent clashes and political maneuvers by President Kiir, raises grave concerns about the stability of the unity government and the potential for renewed conflict, necessitating international oversight to maintain peace.
Original Source: www.newsofbahrain.com
