South Sudan’s Arrest of Peacebuilding Minister Signals Rising Political Tensions

South Sudan’s Minister of Peacebuilding, Stephen Par Kuol, was arrested, following the arrests of other officials aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar. These actions have raised concerns about the stability of a fragile peace agreement post-civil war. Escalating violence in Upper Nile State and criticism of President Salva Kiir’s political moves further complicate the situation, provoking international calls for dialogue.

On Thursday, South Sudan’s peacebuilding minister, Hon. Stephen Par Kuol, was arrested, marking another instance in a sequence of detentions aimed at allies of First Vice President Riek Machar. Machar’s press secretary, Puok Both Baluang, announced the arrest on Facebook, signaling heightened tension within the government.

Kuol’s arrest follows similar recent detentions of both the oil minister and the deputy head of the army, who, like Kuol, are members of Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). These developments have led to widespread concerns regarding the potential destabilization of the already fragile peace agreement that has been in effect since the end of the five-year civil war in 2018.

Currently, South Sudan faces increasing instability as violent clashes erupt in the northeastern Upper Nile State, where ongoing confrontations are reportedly taking place between government forces and rebels aligned with Machar. The United Nations has alerted the international community about the severity of these clashes, which involve significant military engagement and resulting casualties.

In response to the escalation of violence, regional nations and Western embassies collectively released statements urging an end to the conflict. They emphasized the necessity for leaders in Juba to prioritize dialogue and the welfare of the South Sudanese populace.

Critics have noted President Salva Kiir’s recent political maneuvers as efforts to solidify his authority while marginalizing Machar. Last month, Kiir dismissed two vice presidents from the unity government without consulting other stakeholders and removed a governor from Machar’s party, raising further alarms about the political landscape.

The arrests of key figures allied with First Vice President Riek Machar signify deepening political tensions in South Sudan that threaten the fragile peace established in 2018. Renewed violence, especially in Upper Nile State, exacerbates the situation, prompting calls from international actors for peaceful dialogue and restraint among South Sudanese leaders. As political dynamics shift under President Kiir’s governance, the potential ramifications for the unity government and regional stability remain concerning.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com