South Sudan has detained the petroleum minister and several military officials aligned with Vice President Riek Machar, casting doubt on the stability of the 2018 peace agreement. The relationship between Kiir and Machar remains tense, with community violence continuing. Machar’s spokesperson reported the unclear basis for these arrests as military presence around Machar’s residence increases.
In South Sudan, the petroleum minister and several military officials aligned with Vice President Riek Machar have been detained, raising concerns about the stability of the peace agreement that ended the civil war. The arrests, announced by a spokesperson for Machar, could undermine the delicate political balance established post-conflict.
Since the signing of a peace deal in 2018, South Sudan has been recognized as being at peace, although tensions remain high between President Salva Kiir and Machar. These leaders have a long-standing fractious relationship, frequently resulting in violence among rival communities.
Puok Both Baluang, Machar’s spokesperson, reported that Minister Puot Kang Chol was taken into custody alongside the deputy head of the army, while other senior military officials loyal to Machar were put under house arrest. Baluang noted, “As of now, there’s not any reason provided to us that led to the arrest or the detention of (these) officials,” highlighting the unclear motive behind these actions.
Amid these developments, South Sudanese military forces have increased their deployment around Machar’s residence. However, Baluang confirmed that Machar was able to conduct his duties in the office on Wednesday morning, indicating that he still retains some operational capacity despite the ongoing tensions.
The recent arrest of South Sudan’s petroleum minister and military officials connected to Vice President Riek Machar has raised serious questions about the future of the nation’s fragile peace agreement. As tensions continue to simmer between Kiir and Machar, the situation remains critical, with the potential for further unrest if political stability is not restored. Observers will need to monitor the implications of these arrests on the broader peace process going forward.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
