South Sudanese forces have released Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, while concerns about ongoing detentions of key officials and escalating tensions persist. The arrests, occurring amidst clashes in Nasir, threaten the peace established after the civil war. Diplomatic efforts are underway to restore calm in the region.
In South Sudan, security forces aligned with President Salva Kiir have released Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, an ally of First Vice President Riek Machar. This release follows a series of arrests targeting key officials of Machar’s faction, which has heightened political tensions in the nation. Notably, since Tuesday, several of Machar’s allies, including the petroleum minister and a deputy military leader, have been detained, casting doubt on the fragile peace established post-civil war.
Minister Kuol, who was reported to have been unlawfully detained alongside three staff members, was released early Friday morning, as confirmed by Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang. While the Peacebuilding Minister has regained his freedom, the petroleum minister and the deputy head of the military remain in custody, with security forces surrounding Machar’s residence while he continues to conduct official duties.
The recent arrests came in the wake of significant clashes in the northern town of Nasir between national forces and the White Army militia, a group composed primarily of Nuer members who fought alongside Machar’s troops during the previous civil conflict. Following these events, Information Minister Michael Makuei suggested that Machar’s forces were involved in violent actions against a military garrison, an allegation that has been refuted by Machar’s party.
Despite a peace agreement established in 2018, violence persists in South Sudan, with tensions often escalating between various community factions. On Thursday, diplomatic leaders from IGAD, the United Nations, the African Union, and RJMEC convened a meeting with Machar to promote stability in the troubled Upper Nile State, emphasizing the importance of restoring calm in the region.
The situation in South Sudan remains precarious as political tensions rise following the recent arrest of key officials aligned with Riek Machar. Despite the release of Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, the continued detention of other prominent figures poses a challenge to the fragile peace established after the civil war. Ongoing diplomatic efforts seek to mediate the escalating conflict, particularly in Upper Nile State, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and stability in the region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com