South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar condemned President Salva Kiir’s recent political reshuffle, asserting it violates the 2018 peace agreement. Kiir’s dismissal of two vice-presidents and promotion of a new ally raised concerns about political stability and adherence to previous accords, while ongoing violence complicates the nation’s recovery from civil unrest.
In a recent development, South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar criticized President Salva Kiir’s abrupt political reshuffle, claiming it contravenes the 2018 peace deal. Kiir’s decision involved dismissing two of the five vice-presidents and promoting an ally, Benjamin Bol Mel, to oversee economic affairs. This reshuffle, announced via state television, did not provide specific justifications, leading to speculation about aligning successors to Kiir, who is in his seventies.
Machar pointed out that the reshuffle breaches Article 1.13 of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which stipulates that the president must consult relevant parties before making such changes to governmental roles. He emphasized that these actions jeopardize the foundational structure of the peace agreement established after the five-year civil war that followed South Sudan’s independence in 2011.
The political turbulence follows President Kiir’s previous decision to postpone elections initially scheduled under the transitional agreement for December. The delay and recent changes indicate ongoing instability in the world’s youngest nation. Humanitarian concerns have also heightened, as evidenced by the recent killing of two Oxfam workers in Jonglei State, raising alarms about the ongoing violence affecting the populace.
The political reshuffle by President Salva Kiir raises significant concerns regarding stability and adherence to the 2018 peace deal in South Sudan. Vice President Riek Machar’s objection highlights the strained relations within the unity government and the potential implications for governance. The postponement of elections and persistent violence underscores the fragile state of the nation, emphasizing the need for sustained dialogue and adherence to agreements.
Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
