South Sudan Detains Key Officials, Threatening Fragile Peace

South Sudan forces have detained key officials aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar, raising concerns about the stability of the peace deal following years of civil conflict. With continued violence in Nasir, experts warn of a potential return to war unless leadership intervenes effectively.

In a concerning development in South Sudan, government forces have detained Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and several senior military officials aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar. The arrests, as reported by Machar’s spokesperson, jeopardize the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement that ended the civil war. This situation arises amidst intensified clashes between the national military and the White Army militia in the northern town of Nasir, which is predominantly inhabited by Machar’s Nuer ethnic group.

The detained officials include Deputy Army Chief Gabriel Doup Lam, while other military leaders associated with Machar are under house arrest. The spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, indicated no reasons have been disclosed for these actions. Furthermore, South Sudanese troops have been positioned near Machar’s residence, although he was able to make his way to his office earlier on Wednesday. The government’s information minister, Michael Makuei, has yet to comment, with plans for a news briefing forthcoming.

The civil war in South Sudan, which erupted shortly after the nation’s independence in 2011, has claimed around 400,000 lives and displaced approximately 2.5 million people. Currently, nearly half of the 11 million population faces severe food insecurity. Despite the cessation of large-scale fighting since the 2018 peace accord, sporadic violence continues. Recently, the African Union and the United Nations peacekeeping mission urged de-escalation in Nasir’s Upper Nile State, cautioning against the risk of widespread violence ensuing from escalating tensions.

Ter Manyang, leader of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, highlighted the seriousness of the situation, asserting that if not addressed by national leadership, South Sudan risks plunging back into conflict. The international community is closely monitoring developments to avert further deterioration of peace in the country.

The recent arrests of Senior Government Officials in South Sudan mark a significant threat to the tenuous peace established post-civil war. The ongoing violence in Nasir, tied to ethnic tensions, along with global calls for de-escalation underlines the critical need for effective management of the political landscape. The actions of the government may dictate the future stability of the nation.

Original Source: www.usnews.com