Arrests of Allies of South Sudan’s Vice-President Heighten Peace Deal Concerns
South Sudan’s Vice-President Riek Machar’s allies, the oil minister and deputy army chief, have been arrested amid rising tensions threatening the fragile peace deal established after the civil war. With ongoing violence in Upper Nile State and calls for international intervention, the situation is perilous for the country’s stability and peace agreement.
The recent arrests of key allies of South Sudan’s First Vice-President, Riek Machar, including Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol and Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam, have heightened concerns regarding the country’s unstable peace agreement. This action occurred amid escalating tensions and violent incidents in Upper Nile State, where clashes between government forces and Machar’s supporters have intensified. In a statement, Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth attributed the unrest to illegal alliances between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) and a faction known as the White Army, comprised of armed youths from Machar’s ethnic community.
The SPLM-IO and other political analysts have voiced dire warnings regarding the implications of these arrests, describing them as a potential violation of the 2018 power-sharing agreement which sought to unify the nation following its five-year civil war. Despite significant oil reserves, South Sudan continues to grapple with widespread poverty and unfulfilled components of the peace deal, including the establishment of a constitution and the unification of armed forces. Machar’s spokesperson stressed the necessity for international intervention to prevent a regression into conflict.
The United Nations has noted an alarming increase in violence in Upper Nile State, while regional leaders from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) expressed serious concerns regarding the stability of the peace agreement and the humanitarian crises exacerbated by ongoing hostilities. Meanwhile, international embassies have urged all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize the well-being of the South Sudanese populace.
Political analysts suggest that President Salva Kiir’s recent actions to consolidate power—including the dismissal of several vice-presidents—have escalated tensions. In light of this situation, Abraham Kuol Nyuon from the University of Juba expressed apprehensions about the potential for renewed conflict in the nation, noting that prevailing aggression among leaders undermines efforts for peaceful dialogue and national unity.
In summary, the arrests of high-ranking officials affiliated with South Sudan’s First Vice-President highlight the precarious state of the country’s peace agreement, threatening the fragile stability established since the end of the civil war. The international community’s calls for restraint and dialogue are critical at this juncture to prevent a return to widespread violence, emphasizing the necessity for political collaboration and adherence to the terms of the peace deal.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
