South Sudan has detained its petroleum minister and senior military officials associated with Vice President Riek Machar, raising concerns over the fragile peace established after the 2018 civil war. This development could jeopardize ongoing stability, as the relationship between the president and vice president remains strained, with continuous violence between communities.
In South Sudan, tensions have escalated following the arrest of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and multiple senior military officials associated with First Vice President Riek Machar. This action, as reported by a spokesperson for the vice president, raises concerns about the stability of the peace deal that ended a devastating civil war in 2018, which had resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands.
The ongoing relationship between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Machar remains contentious, despite the formal peace established by the 2018 agreement. Sporadic violence continues to emerge between various rival communities in the country. The recent arrests could signify a further deterioration of this tenuous peace.
Alongside the arrests, Machar’s spokesperson indicated that soldiers have been deployed around the vice president’s residence. Despite the presence of security forces, Machar managed to visit his office on Wednesday morning. However, no official reason has been given for the detention of the officials or the circumstances surrounding these actions.
The detention of South Sudan’s oil minister and military officials has intensified concerns regarding the endurance of the peace agreement established post-civil war. As violence continues to erupt among rival communities, the political dynamics between President Kiir and Vice President Machar remain fragile. The actions taken against Machar’s allies highlight underlying tensions that could threaten stability in South Sudan.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
