South Sudan Detains Petroleum Minister and Military Officials, Raising Peace Concerns
In South Sudan, the petroleum minister and several military officials allied with Vice President Riek Machar have been detained, raising concerns about the fragile peace process established after a civil war. The ongoing tensions between Machar and President Salva Kiir exacerbate these issues, prompting fears of renewed violence despite Machar’s recent ability to move freely.
South Sudanese forces recently detained the Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and several senior military officials supportive of First Vice President Riek Machar, as reported by a spokesperson for the vice president. This development raises concerns about the stability of the peace agreement that concluded a civil war in 2018, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives over a five-year period.
Since the peace agreement, South Sudan has been in a formal state of peace; however, tensions between Vice President Machar and President Salva Kiir persist, leading to occasional outbreaks of violence among rival communities. According to Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, while the deputy head of the army was arrested, other allied military officials have been placed under house arrest.
Baluang noted, “As of now, there’s not any reason provided to us that led to the arrest or the detention of (these) officials.” In the meantime, measures have been taken to enhance security at Machar’s residence, with troops deployed nearby. Despite these circumstances, Machar was able to travel to his office without incident on Wednesday morning.
The recent detention of South Sudan’s Petroleum Minister and military officials aligned with Vice President Riek Machar poses significant risks to the fragile peace established following the 2018 civil war. The ongoing tensions between Machar and President Salva Kiir highlight the precariousness of the current political environment, with concerns rising over potential implications for future stability and violence among communities in the region.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
