Release of South Sudan Peacebuilding Minister Amidst Rising Tensions
South Sudan security forces released peacebuilding minister Stephen Par Kuol, a key ally of First Vice President Riek Machar, following heightened tensions and the arrests of several officials. Concurrently, the petroleum minister and a deputy military chief remain in custody after conflicts with the White Army militia. Officials from various international organizations have urged for calm in the region.
In a recent development, security forces in South Sudan, loyal to President Salva Kiir, have released Stephen Par Kuol, the peacebuilding minister and an ally of First Vice President Riek Machar. This release occurred amidst escalating tensions following the arrest of several senior officials supportive of Machar, including the petroleum minister and a deputy military chief, which threatens an existing peace agreement.
Between Tuesday and Thursday, numerous allies of Machar faced arrests or house arrest, raising concerns over the stability of a peace deal aimed at concluding a civil war between Kiir’s and Machar’s factions. Machar’s spokesman, Puok Both Baluang, confirmed Kuol’s release early on Friday, stating, “Stephen Par Kuol… who was unlawfully detained yesterday along with three staff members from his office by the National Security, was released this morning at 05:00 a.m.”
Despite Kuol’s release, the petroleum minister and the deputy head of military remain in custody, as clarified by Baluang. Furthermore, additional security forces were deployed around Machar’s residence; however, he continues to have access to his office. The arrests were preceded by significant clashes between national forces and the White Army, a militia primarily composed of Nuer, Machar’s ethnic group, in the crucial northern town of Nasir.
The White Army had previously fought alongside Machar’s forces during the civil war from 2013 to 2018 against predominantly Dinka troops loyal to Kiir. While Information Minister Michael Makuei has accused Machar’s forces of collaborating with the White Army, Machar’s party has denied any involvement in the ongoing fighting. Although South Sudan has officially been at peace since the 2018 accord, violence among rival communities remains a frequent occurrence.
On Thursday, representatives from the regional bloc IGAD, the United Nations, the African Union, and RJMEC convened with Machar to appeal to all parties to promote calm in Upper Nile State, where Nasir is located. This call for peace emphasizes the ongoing need for stability in the region following a tumultuous history.
The release of the South Sudanese peacebuilding minister amidst heightened tensions points to ongoing challenges in maintaining peace within the nation. With key officials under arrest and fresh outbreaks of violence, the situation remains precarious despite previous peace agreements. The intervention of regional and international entities underscores a collective desire for stability in Upper Nile State and South Sudan as a whole.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
