South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed Upper Nile governor James Odhok Oyay amidst intensified clashes with the White Army militia, linked to rival Vice President Riek Machar. This action has exacerbated tensions, with SPLM-IO leaders protesting the sacking as a breach of peace agreements. Ongoing violence has resulted in the displacement of 50,000 individuals, raising fears of a return to civil war.
President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has removed James Odhok Oyay, the governor of Upper Nile state, amidst rising tensions between government forces and an ethnic militia associated with First Vice President Riek Machar. The conflict escalated when the White Army militia compelled government troops to retreat from Nasir, a critical area near the Ethiopian border. This confrontation is reminiscent of past civil strife, raising concerns about potential resumption of hostilities in the country.
In a televised decree, Kiir appointed Lieutenant General James Koang Chuol as the new governor, replacing Oyay, a member of Machar’s SPLM-IO party. This dismissal angered SPLM-IO leaders, who have partially withdrawn from the peace agreement established in 2018, citing Oyay’s termination as a breach of trust. According to Machar’s spokesperson, the action represents a unilateral breach of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
The government has implicated Machar’s party in endangering peace efforts, asserting that Oyay was dismissed to restore order in Upper Nile. Conflicts involving the White Army, composed primarily of Nuer ethnic youths, echo the violence of the 2013-2018 war against the Dinka troops loyal to Kiir. SPLM-IO refutes these accusations against them.
The ongoing fighting has led to the displacement of approximately 50,000 people since late February, prompting a warning from the United Nations about the imminent danger of renewed civil war in South Sudan. This growing unrest highlights the fragile state of security and governance in the newly established nation.
The sacking of Upper Nile governor James Odhok Oyay by President Salva Kiir amid escalating ethnic clashes illustrates the delicate political situation in South Sudan. Tensions between Kiir and Machar’s factions threaten to unravel the peace established in 2018, with significant humanitarian implications as thousands are displaced. Continuous accusations and political maneuvering highlight the challenges of maintaining stability in the region, raising concerns for the future.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
