Key allies of South Sudan’s Vice-President Riek Machar have been arrested, escalating tensions that threaten the fragile peace established after the 2018 civil war. Clashes persist in Upper Nile State, with accusations of collaboration between Machar’s forces and local rebels. The situation raises alarms over the risk of renewed conflict amid unfulfilled aspects of the peace agreement.
South Sudan’s forces have apprehended two key allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar, raising concerns amidst a precarious peace agreement within the nation. The arrests involve Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol and Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam, escalating fears of the potential collapse of the current government, formed following the conclusion of a five-year civil war in 2018. As tensions rise, particularly in Upper Nile State, ongoing clashes between the army and Machar’s rebel forces persist.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth indicated that rebels overran a government garrison in Upper Nile State, leading to accusations against the SPLM-IO, Machar’s political movement, of colluding with the White Army, which comprises armed youths from the Nuer ethnic community. As a precautionary measure, authorities have surrounded Machar’s residence in Juba, although he was reported to be present in his office.
The ongoing conflict, rooted in the power struggle between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar since 2013, has already resulted in over 400,000 fatalities. Despite substantial oil resources, essential aspects of the peace agreement remain unfulfilled, which exacerbates the country’s systemic poverty. The SPLM-IO has denounced the arrests as a violation of the peace deal, urging international bodies to intervene and avert a return to violence.
The United Nations has expressed concerns regarding the intensification of hostilities in Upper Nile State, noting the involvement of heavy weaponry and increasing casualties. Furthermore, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development condemned the clashes for jeopardizing the peace agreement and worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region. Additionally, recent political maneuvers by Kiir, including the dismissal of fellow vice-presidents and a governor associated with Machar’s faction, indicate a trend aimed at consolidating presidential power.
Political analysts foresee a possible resurgence of conflict if dialogue among leaders is not prioritized. Abraham Kuol Nyuon, a political science associate professor, emphasized that continued aggressions among leadership without fostering dialogue risks rekindling hostilities in South Sudan. The ongoing situation presents a critical juncture for South Sudan as it confronts the threats posed to its fragile peace.
The recent arrests of key allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar by South Sudanese forces represent a significant escalation in tensions threatening the stability of the state’s fragile peace agreement. With ongoing clashes in Upper Nile State and unresolved political disagreements, experts warn that these developments could lead to a resurgence of conflict unless dialogue is prioritized and international intervention is initiated to uphold the peace accord. The nation thus stands at a critical crossroads as it navigates its tumultuous socio-political landscape.
Original Source: www.newsofbahrain.com
