South Sudan Arrests Peacebuilding Minister, Heightening Tensions in the Region
Minister Stephen Par Kuol of South Sudan has been arrested by national security forces, further straining the fragile peace following increased violence in Nasir. This comes amid accusations against government forces of collaborating with the White Army militia. Other senior officials connected to Vice President Riek Machar have also been detained, heightening tensions in the region.
In a serious development for South Sudan’s peace process, Minister of Peacebuilding Stephen Par Kuol has been arrested by national forces, as stated by Vice President Riek Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang. The National Security Service (NSS) conducted the arrest within the minister’s office shortly before the announcement was made via social media.
This incident escalates the tensions in South Sudan, particularly following increased hostilities in Nasir, where clashes occurred between government forces and the White Army militia, primarily composed of Nuer individuals. The White Army, known for its past association with Machar during the civil war from 2013 to 2018, has become embroiled in the current violence against troops loyal to President Salva Kiir, predominantly from the Dinka community.
South Sudan’s Information Minister Michael Makuei recently attributed the violence in the region to actions by Machar’s loyalists in collusion with the White Army, including an assault on a military garrison near Nasir. Despite the gravity of the situation, Makuei did not provide comments regarding Kuol’s detention.
In addition to Kuol, this week has seen the vice presidency confirm the arrests of other key figures, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol of Nasir and army deputy head Gabriel Doup Lam, pointing to a broader crackdown on officials aligned with Machar, amidst ongoing instability in the country.
The arrest of Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol signifies a critical setback in South Sudan’s already fragile peace process, exacerbated by recent hostilities in Nasir. Accusations of collusion between Machar’s forces and the White Army add complexity to the situation, raising concerns about stability in the region. The government’s continued detention of officials aligned with Machar indicates an escalating struggle for power that threatens the peace established by the 2018 agreement.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
