The East African bloc IGAD has urged South Sudan to release arrested officials and restore security arrangements amidst rising tensions following arrests of officials allied to Vice-President Riek Machar. The situation poses a threat to the peace established by the 2018 agreement that ended a five-year civil war. Despite some releases, many remain in custody, and accusations of military collaboration by Machar’s forces exacerbate the crisis.
The East African bloc, known as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has urged the South Sudanese government to release detained officials and lift security restrictions. This appeal aims to mitigate rising factional tensions that threaten the stability established by the 2018 peace deal, which ended a devastating five-year civil war. Although South Sudan has been formally at peace, relations between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar remain fraught.
The recent arrests of key officials, including a deputy military chief and two ministers associated with Machar, raised concerns about the peace agreement’s viability. These arrests coincided with violent clashes near the strategic town of Nasir, which have heightened fears of renewed conflict. In a virtual meeting, IGAD emphasized the necessity of restoring normal security arrangements and releasing officials unless there is credible justification for legal action.
Government spokesperson Michael Makuei stated that the detained officials were in “conflict with the law,” but did not provide further comments on the requests made by IGAD. Tensions escalated as the government accused Machar’s loyal forces of cooperating with the White Army militia, leading to violent confrontations, a claim which Machar’s party has refuted. Of the officials detained, one minister and eight others have been released, but twenty remain in custody. Meanwhile, military forces have been stationed around Machar’s residence while he continues to fulfill his official duties, although additional arrests of lawmakers allied with him have occurred.
In summary, IGAD has intervened in South Sudan’s escalating tensions by calling for the release of detained officials and the reinstatement of standard security protocols. The political landscape remains precarious, as the ongoing conflicts challenge the peace established in 2018. The situation necessitates continued attention and a commitment to uphold the agreements made to prevent further violence.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
