Stephen Par Kuol has been arrested by the National Security Service, alongside other high-ranking officials, amid rising tensions in South Sudan following clashes between national forces and the White Army militia. The government has not officially commented. Escalating violence and political unrest pose a significant threat to peace and stability, with fears of additional armed group responses.
The National Security Service has arrested Honourable Stephen Par Kuol from his office, as confirmed by Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, on X. This marks a continuation of recent arrest patterns; earlier this week, security forces detained the Petroleum Minister, the Deputy Head of the Army, and several senior military officials allied with Machar. These actions follow notable confrontations in the Upper Nile State, where national forces were engaged in conflict with the White Army militia, predominantly composed of Nuer, Machar’s ethnic group.
Currently, there has been no official comment from the government regarding these arrests. However, Information Minister Michael Makuei, on Wednesday, accused Machar’s loyalists of collaborating with the White Army to assault a military garrison near Nasir in the Upper Nile earlier this week. The White Army previously allied with Machar’s factions during the civil war from 2013-2018, which resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities and the displacement of 2.5 million individuals following South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011.
Although a peace agreement reached in 2018 has largely mitigated large-scale conflict between the forces of President Kiir and Machar, localized violence persists, aggravated by the ongoing civil war in Sudan that enhances armed groups’ access to weapons. Kuol, who was heavily involved in the 2018 negotiations, has faced arrest amid these tensions.
Leaders from various churches have expressed concern regarding the rise in insecurity, political instability, and violence that threaten peace efforts, urging for constructive dialogue. Daniel Akech Thiong, a senior analyst from the International Crisis Group, remarked that these arrests represent a significant escalation and are likely to incite counter-attacks by armed opposition groups on government bases in Upper Nile and Jonglei states.
Last year, the government pushed the date for national elections to December 2026, stating that additional time is required to ensure adequate preparations for the electoral process.
The recent arrests in South Sudan highlight the escalating political tensions and insecurities following prolonged instability. The government’s actions against key figures, including Honourable Stephen Par Kuol, indicate increasing volatility, particularly with historical allegiances from the ongoing civil conflict. Furthermore, with looming national elections now postponed to 2026, the situation remains critical and requires urgent attention and dialogue to prevent further violence.
Original Source: www.channelafrica.co.za
