South Sudan Detains Minister and Military Officials Amid Rising Tensions
The South Sudanese government has detained the Petroleum Minister and several senior military officials tied to First Vice President Riek Machar, potentially undermining the peace accord that ended the civil war. These arrests coincide with recent fighting in Nasir, prompting fears of escalating conflict in the region. Urgent leadership intervention is deemed necessary to prevent further unrest.
South Sudanese forces have detained the Petroleum Minister and several senior military officials associated with First Vice President Riek Machar, according to Machar’s spokesperson. This development poses a significant threat to the peace agreement which concluded the civil conflict in the nation. The arrests occurred amidst recent intense clashes in Nasir where the White Army militia, mainly composed of Nuer, Machar’s ethnic group, engaged national forces.
Among those arrested is Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, who is from Nasir, along with General Gabriel Doup Lam, the army’s deputy head. Other senior military officials aligned with Machar have been placed under house arrest. Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, indicated no reasons were provided for these officials’ detainment.
Despite the presence of South Sudanese troops around Machar’s residence, he was reportedly able to attend his office on Wednesday. The government’s Information Minister, Michael Makuei, has not yet commented on the situation but announced an upcoming news conference.
The civil war in South Sudan, which erupted shortly after the nation’s independence from Sudan, resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities and displaced 2.5 million individuals. Although a peace agreement in 2018 alleviated widespread hostilities, localized violence persists. Recently, international bodies urged for de-escalation in Nasir amidst concerns over potential broad-scale violence.
Ter Manyang from the Center for Peace and Advocacy expressed worry that without effective management from national leaders, South Sudan could regress into war. He stated, “The country is likely to slide to war unless the situation is managed by the top leadership of the country.”
The recent detainment of South Sudan’s Petroleum Minister and military officials connected to First Vice President Riek Machar raises significant concerns regarding the stability of the country’s peace agreement. This event follows ongoing violence in Nasir and could threaten to escalate into broader conflict. Urgent intervention and effective leadership are required to avert a return to war in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.newsbreak.com
