President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has dismissed Upper Nile state governor amid escalating violence between government forces and an ethnic militia aligned with rival Riek Machar. The situation threatens the 2018 peace agreement as tensions mount, leading to the displacement of thousands of civilians.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has dismissed Upper Nile state governor James Odhok Oyay amid escalating clashes between government forces and an ethnic militia. This militia, known as the White Army, is alleged to support Kiir’s rival, First Vice-President Riek Machar. The conflict intensified when the White Army forced government troops to retreat from Nasir, a strategic town near the Ethiopian border.
Following these clashes, the South Sudanese government detained multiple officials from Machar’s party, the SPLM-IO, including the petroleum minister and deputy army head. This political turmoil heightens concerns that South Sudan may regress into violent conflict, nearly seven years after its civil war, which resulted in substantial loss of life.
President Kiir announced Oyay’s firing on state television and appointed Lieutenant General James Koang Chuol as his replacement. The SPLM-IO expressed outrage over this decision, claiming it violates the Revitalised Peace Agreement established in 2018. Machar’s spokesperson stated this act exemplifies a unilateral approach detrimental to the peace process.
In defense of this move, Information Minister Michael Makuei claimed the action was taken to restore peace in Upper Nile state, accusing the SPLM-IO of undermining the peace deal. He also highlighted the government’s concerns regarding SPLM-IO’s alleged connections with the armed White Army.
The ongoing conflict near Nasir has displaced an estimated 50,000 individuals since late February, according to the United Nations, which cautioned that South Sudan is perilously close to falling back into civil war.
The political situation in South Sudan remains precarious following President Kiir’s sacking of Upper Nile state governor James Odhok Oyay. This decision, sparked by ethnic clashes and accusations of militia support, threatens the fragile peace established post-civil war. The resulting tension raises significant concerns about potential conflict resurgence as evidenced by increasing displacements of civilians and ongoing political strife.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
