South Sudan’s Minister of Peacebuilding, Stephen Par Kuol, was arrested, following similar detentions of allies of First Vice President Riek Machar. These actions raise alarms over the stability of the peace agreement post-civil war. Tensions continue to escalate with violent clashes reported, prompting international calls for dialogue. President Kiir’s political maneuvers are criticized as attempts to marginalize Machar.
On Thursday, South Sudan’s Minister of Peacebuilding, Hon. Stephen Par Kuol, was arrested, marking a significant development amidst ongoing detentions of allies of First Vice President Riek Machar. This apprehension was reported by Machar’s press secretary, Puok Both Baluang, via social media shortly after Kuol was taken from his office.
The recent arrest follows the detention of the oil minister and the deputy head of the army, both of whom are also loyal to Machar and senior officials in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). Such detentions have heightened fears regarding the stability of the fragile peace agreement established between President Salva Kiir and Machar since the conclusion of their five-year civil war in 2018.
Tensions have escalated within the unity government, particularly due to violent confrontations occurring in Upper Nile State, where the government reports clashes between the army and rebels associated with Machar’s faction. The United Nations has indicated that these confrontations increasingly involve heavy weaponry and have resulted in numerous casualties.
In response to these developments, regional nations along with Western embassies have jointly called for an end to the fighting. They emphasized, “Juba-based leaders must demonstrate their commitment to peaceful dialogue and should put the interest of the South Sudanese people first.”
Criticism of President Kiir’s actions has been voiced by analysts, who contend that these recent political maneuvers are efforts to consolidate Kiir’s authority and marginalize Machar’s influence. Notably, last month, Kiir dismissed two vice presidents from the unity government without prior consultation with other leaders and removed a governor aligned with Machar’s movement.
The arrest of Minister Stephen Par Kuol, alongside other leaders linked to Riek Machar, underscores escalating tensions within South Sudan’s unity government. The situation raises significant concerns regarding the sustainability of the peace agreement forged after a prolonged civil war. As violence resurfaces, both regional actors and international embassies are urging for a prioritization of dialogue and stabilization efforts. Kiir’s recent political strategies are seen as attempts to reinforce his position, eliciting anxieties about the future of governance in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
