South Sudan’s petroleum minister and military officials allied with Vice President Riek Machar have been arrested, jeopardizing a fragile peace deal after a civil war. The detentions follow escalating violence in Nasir. Without explanations for the arrests, concerns grow about the risk of renewed conflict if leadership does not manage the situation effectively.
In South Sudan, armed forces have detained Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and several senior military officials associated with First Vice President Riek Machar, according to Machar’s spokesperson. This development threatens the peace agreement that concluded the civil war. The detentions follow recent clashes in Nasir, a key northern town, between national forces and the White Army militia, primarily composed of Nuer fighters loyal to Machar.
The key figures arrested include Minister Puot Kang Chol and the deputy army chief, Gabriel Doup Lam, with other Machar-aligned officials under house arrest. Spokesperson Puok Both Baluang indicated they have not received any explanation for these actions. Although troops have positioned around Machar’s residence, he managed to travel to his office on Wednesday morning.
South Sudan’s civil war, which began following the nation’s independence from Sudan, resulted in around 400,000 deaths and displaced 2.5 million people, with half the population facing food scarcity. While a 2018 peace deal has reduced major confrontations, localized violence remains an issue.
Both the African Union and the United Nations peacekeeping mission have urged for de-escalation in Upper Nile State, warning of possible “widespread violence.” Ter Manyang, from the Center for Peace and Advocacy, expressed concern that these arrests could lead the nation back into conflict unless effectively managed by leadership.
The arrests of the South Sudanese petroleum minister and several military officials signify a potential risk to the fragile peace established after a devastating civil war. With rising tensions in Nasir and external calls for stability, there is an urgent need for effective leadership to prevent a resurgence of conflict in the region. The situation remains critical as stakeholders assess the implications of these developments on national security and humanitarian conditions.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
