South Sudan has detained Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and several military officials associated with First Vice President Riek Machar, raising concerns over the peace agreement reached in 2018 that ended a brutal civil war. The relationship between key leaders remains fraught, contributing to ongoing tensions within the nation.
Recent developments in South Sudan have led to the detention of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and several senior military officials linked to First Vice President Riek Machar. This situation raises concerns regarding the stability of the peace agreement established in 2018, which concluded a five-year conflict between President Salva Kiir and Machar, resulting in significant loss of life.
South Sudan officially entered a period of peace following the aforementioned agreement; however, the relationship between President Kiir and Vice President Machar continues to be strained. Conflicts among various communities remain prevalent, despite the formal cessation of the civil war.
Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, confirmed the arrests and reported that other military officials allied with Machar have been placed under house arrest. As of now, no official explanation has been provided regarding the motivations behind these actions.
Furthermore, it was noted that South Sudanese troops have been deployed around Machar’s residence. Despite this situation, Machar was able to commute to his office on Wednesday morning, indicating some level of normalcy amid the unrest.
The recent detainment of key political figures in South Sudan, including the Petroleum Minister and military officials associated with Vice President Machar, has raised significant concerns about the future of the peace agreement that concluded the civil war. With an already tenuous relationship between the top leaders and the potential for rising violence among communities, the situation remains precarious as the country grapples with these new developments.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
