President Salva Kiir has dismissed Upper Nile Governor James Odhok Oyay amidst escalating clashes in South Sudan. The tensions stem from allegations against Machar’s SPLM-IO party for collaborating with the White Army militia. Kiir’s actions raise concerns over stability in the region, especially following significant civilian displacement around Nasir.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has removed the governor of Upper Nile State amidst intensifying clashes between government forces and an ethnic militia. The president accuses this militia of aligning with his political opponent, First Vice President Riek Machar. This escalation in conflict follows the White Army’s recent efforts that forced government troops to retreat from the strategic town of Nasir, near the Ethiopian border.
Consequently, President Kiir’s government has undertaken arrests of several officials from Machar’s SPLM-IO party, including notable figures such as the petroleum minister and the deputy head of the army. This growing confrontation has raised alarms concerning the potential for a resurgence of conflict in South Sudan, which became independent only seven years ago, after a devastating civil war.
In a decree announced on state television, Kiir replaced Upper Nile Governor James Odhok Oyay, who belongs to SPLM-IO, with Lieutenant General James Koang Chuol, a native of Nasir. This decision prompted a backlash from SPLM-IO, which has already taken steps to withdraw from the 2018 peace agreement in light of the recent arrests.
Machar’s spokesperson Puok Both Baluang described Oyay’s removal as a unilateral move that severely violates the Revitalised Peace Agreement. Meanwhile, Information Minister Michael Makuei defended the decision, claiming it was necessary for restoring peace in Upper Nile State and accused SPLM-IO of undermining the peace process.
The government has further implicated SPLM-IO in maintaining ties with the White Army, a militia predominantly composed of armed Nuer youth who previously fought alongside Machar against Kiir’s Dinka forces during the civil war. SPLM-IO has denied these allegations. According to the United Nations, fighting has displaced approximately 50,000 individuals around Nasir since late February, with growing concerns that South Sudan is on the brink of relapsing into civil war.
In conclusion, President Salva Kiir’s dismissal of Upper Nile Governor James Odhok Oyay amidst rising tensions with the SPLM-IO highlights the fragile state of peace in South Sudan. The accusations exchanged between political factions, particularly regarding militia alignments, have sparked fears of a return to civil conflict. With significant displacement of civilians already reported, the situation necessitates urgent attention from both the government and international observers.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
