South Sudan Government Accuses Riek Machar Amid Escalating Crisis

South Sudan’s government accused Vice President Riek Machar of conspiracy and arrested him, prompting calls for his release from the opposition SPLM-IO. The government insists the fragile 2018 peace agreement remains valid. Leaders call for calm and adherence to previous ceasefire agreements while urging international assistance to resolve the crisis.

South Sudan’s government accused Vice President Riek Machar of conspiracy, escalating a crisis that has put the fragile 2018 peace deal at risk. The opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) responded by demanding Machar’s immediate release. Despite these tensions, both sides have expressed a desire to maintain the peace agreement that was put in place to end the previous conflict.

On Wednesday evening, President Salva Kiir ordered Machar’s arrest, alleging he had engaged with politicians and commanders from the SPLM-IO since early March. Nevertheless, the government maintains that there is no imminent threat of returning to war. Information Minister Michael Makuei reassured the public that the peace agreement remains intact and will continue to be implemented.

Stephen Par Kuol, South Sudan’s peace minister, emphasized the necessity for all signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement to adhere to the permanent ceasefire and 2017 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. He urged the public to stay calm and reiterated their commitment to achieving lasting peace in South Sudan.

The SPLM-IO’s spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng, previously declared that Machar’s arrest marked a critical setback for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), risking a renewal of civil war. Although the SPLM-IO has softened its rhetoric, it continues to call for Machar’s release and the release of other detained opposition members, with Information Minister Makuei highlighting the need for investigation and legal proceedings against those accused of inciting unrest.

In addition, the SPLM-IO urges the African Union and the United Nations to facilitate dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis. Following South Sudan’s independence in 2011, the nation experienced a devastating five-year civil war from 2013 to 2018, which resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities, culminating in the peace deal that established power-sharing between Kiir and Machar, though key provisions remain unfulfilled.

In summary, South Sudan is facing heightened tensions following the arrest of Vice President Riek Machar, amid accusations of conspiracy. Despite governmental assurances regarding the security of the peace agreement, the opposition demands Machar’s release and a commitment to dialogue. The situation remains delicate, with calls for international support to promote stability in the region. The fragile peace established in 2018 is paramount to averting a return to civil conflict.

Original Source: efe.com