South Sudan President Dismisses Upper Nile Governor Amid Rising Conflicts
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed Upper Nile governor James Odhok Oyay amid escalating clashes with an ethnic militia allied to rival Riek Machar. The situation exacerbates tensions, testing the fragile peace established by previous accords, with fears of a return to civil war as over 50,000 people have already been displaced due to the conflict.
Recently, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir dismissed Upper Nile state governor James Odhok Oyay amid escalating clashes between government forces and an ethnic militia believed to be in alliance with First Vice President Riek Machar. The conflict heightened after the White Army militia compelled government troops to retreat from Nasir, near the Ethiopian border. In retaliation, the government has detained several officials from Machar’s SPLM-IO party, including key ministers.
As tensions rise, concerns deepen regarding South Sudan’s stability, nearly seven years after a civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. President Kiir announced Oyay’s dismissal on state television and appointed James Koang Chuol, a lieutenant general from Nasir, as his successor. This decision has provoked backlash from SPLM-IO, which has indicated a partial withdrawal from the 2018 peace accord in response to the situation.
Puok Both Baluang, spokesperson for Machar, criticized the dismissal, calling it a severe breach of the Revitalised Peace Agreement. Conversely, Information Minister Michael Makuei stated that the decision aimed to restore peace in Upper Nile. The government has accused SPLM-IO of maintaining ties with the White Army, composed mainly of Nuer youths who fought in the previous war, allegations the party denies.
The ongoing violence around Nasir has already displaced around 50,000 people since late February, prompting warnings from the United Nations about South Sudan being on the brink of a return to civil war.
In conclusion, the sacking of Upper Nile’s governor and subsequent tensions between the South Sudanese government and SPLM-IO signify a precarious moment for the nation. As concerns mount over the potential resurgence of civil conflict, the implications of these political maneuvers and retaliatory actions could further undermine the fragile peace established in previous years.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
