Concerns Mount in South Sudan as Key Allies of Vice-President Are Arrested
The arrest of allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar in South Sudan raises concerns for the fragile 2018 peace agreement. Clashes in Upper Nile State between government forces and Machar’s backed rebels have intensified tensions. The need for international intervention and political dialogue is urgent to prevent a renewal of conflict.
In South Sudan, significant unrest has arisen as authorities arrested key allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar, including the oil minister and deputy army chief. These actions have heightened concerns about the stability of the country’s fragile peace agreement, which ended a civil war in 2018 between Machar and President Salva Kiir. Current tensions, particularly in Upper Nile State, are attributed to ongoing violent clashes between governmental forces and Machar’s backed rebels.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth reported that a government garrison was attacked by rebels earlier this week, escalating fears of further violence. He accused Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) of collaborating with the White Army, a militia made up of Nuer youths. Following the attack, two of Machar’s closest allies were detained by the government, intensifying anxieties surrounding the fragile peace.
Machar’s residence also faced military surroundings while he was reportedly attending to affairs in his office. The history of conflict between the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups, represented by Kiir and Machar, respectively, adds complexity to the situation, particularly as many components of their peace agreement, such as constitutional reforms and elections, remain unfulfilled.
Concerns for the peace agreement escalated with Machar’s spokesperson condemning the arrests as violations of their pact, urging international partners to intervene. The United Nations has expressed alarm regarding increasing violence in Upper Nile State, warning of heavy weaponry usage and related casualties.
Furthermore, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development mentioned that clashes could disrupt substantial progress made under the peace agreement and worsen the humanitarian crisis. Analysts note that President Kiir’s recent political maneuvers suggest a strategy to strengthen his hold on power, potentially sidelining Machar further. Political science professor Abraham Kuol Nyuon voiced the narrowing path to dialogue, emphasizing risks of reverting to conflict without prioritizing the welfare of the South Sudanese people.
The recent arrests of allies of First Vice-President Riek Machar in South Sudan pose serious threats to the already fragile peace agreement established in 2018. With violent clashes occurring in Upper Nile State and key leaders facing detention, the potential for renewed conflict looms large. Both international intervention and political dialogue are urgently needed to avert a deterioration of the situation, which could further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and destabilize the region.
Original Source: www.newsofbahrain.com
