Deputy President Riek Machar warns that President Salva Kiir’s recent dismissal of key officials threatens the 2018 peace agreement. The firings violate the established power-sharing deal meant to ensure stability post-civil war. With critical reforms pending and elections delayed until 2026, these actions raise concerns about the future of peace in South Sudan.
South Sudan’s Deputy President, Riek Machar, has raised alarms concerning a recent cabinet shake-up by President Salva Kiir, asserting that it jeopardizes the 2018 peace agreement. This week, Kiir’s administration dismissed multiple high-ranking officials, including Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng and the spy chief, which Machar claims infringes upon the power-sharing terms that concluded years of civil conflict.
Machar, who holds the title of First Vice President under the peace deal, contends that these actions disrupt the carefully structured balance of power among the five vice presidents of South Sudan. With essential reforms still unresolved and presidential elections postponed until 2026, these unilateral decisions create profound apprehensions regarding the adherence to the peace accord.
In summary, the recent dismissals initiated by President Kiir have cast a shadow over the fragile peace established in South Sudan. Deputy President Machar’s concerns highlight the potential pitfalls associated with disregarding the agreed-upon power-sharing framework. As both critical governance reforms and elections loom on the horizon, the political stability of South Sudan remains precarious, necessitating a careful reassessment of leadership changes to uphold the peace efforts initiated in 2018.
Original Source: iafrica.com
