The South Sudanese government has released eight SPLM-IO political opponents, but 20, including key ministers, remain detained. Recent political changes within Upper Nile state have sparked violence and arrests. Following years of civil war, South Sudan extended its transition period set for elections in December 2022, continuing to face challenges from ethnic rivalries since its independence in 2011.
The South Sudanese government has released eight political opponents from the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), as reported by sources linked to the opposition leader and Vice President Riek Machar. However, 20 other members, including Oil Minister Puot Kang and Deputy Chief of Army Staff Gabriel Doup Lam, remain in custody.
The release follows recent political shifts impacting the Upper Nile state governance, outlined in the 2018 Peace accords initiated by President Salva Kiir. These changes have led to a violent outbreak in Nasir and the subsequent wave of arrests.
Following years of civil war, political leaders in South Sudan signed a peace treaty in 2018 and extended the transition period in August 2022 to avoid elections initially penciled for February 2025, which are now slated for December after multiple delays.
South Sudan has been an independent nation for just 13 years, after gaining independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011. This independence, a result of a historic referendum, led to a new sovereign state but also deepened political divisions characterized by ethnic rivalries, impacting future electoral processes.
The recent release of political opponents by the South Sudanese government highlights ongoing tensions within the country after years of civil conflict. Despite this development, many remain detained, and political stability remains fragile, particularly influenced by ethnic divisions, as evidenced by the unrest in Nasir and the adjustments in governance per the 2018 Peace accords. The upcoming elections could be pivotal amid these tensions.
Original Source: www.plenglish.com
