South Sudan’s Political Tensions Escalate with Governor’s Dismissal

President Salva Kiir has removed Upper Nile state governor James Odhok Oyay amidst increasing clashes between government troops and an ethnic militia associated with First Vice-President Riek Machar. This decision has drawn ire from Machar’s party, causing them to withdraw from the peace agreement, as violence displaces 50,000 individuals and threatens renewed conflict in South Sudan.

In South Sudan, President Salva Kiir has dismissed Upper Nile state’s governor, James Odhok Oyay, amid escalating tensions between government forces and an ethnic militia reportedly aligning with First Vice-President Riek Machar. This conflict has intensified following the militia’s successful push against government troops in Nasir, near the Ethiopian border.

The removal of Oyay, who is affiliated with Machar’s SPLM-IO party, has resulted in significant backlash from the party, partially withdrawing from the 2018 peace agreement in response. Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, described the governor’s ousting as a “unilateral action” that breaches the peace pact.

In defense, Information Minister Michael Makuei attributed the governor’s dismissal to efforts aimed at restoring peace in Upper Nile state, criticizing Machar’s faction as threatening the stability of the agreement. The government also claims links between the SPLM-IO and the White Army, a group largely made up of Nuer youths who fought against Kiir’s forces during the civil war.

Recent violence in Nasir has displaced approximately 50,000 individuals since February, as reported by the UN, which cautions that South Sudan teeters on the edge of a renewed civil war, just seven years after emerging from a devastating conflict. This crisis underscores the fragile state of governance and the dire humanitarian implications for the region.

The dismissal of Oyay highlights the deepening political crisis within South Sudan, with rising tensions between President Kiir and First Vice-President Machar posing significant risks to the nation’s stability. The actions taken by Kiir’s government, coupled with the response from the SPLM-IO, raise concerns over the sustainability of the peace agreement and the dire humanitarian situation affecting thousands.

Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za