South Sudan Detains Machar Allies Amid Rising Tensions and Violence

South Sudanese forces have arrested key allies of Vice President Riek Machar, including the petroleum minister and deputy army chief, amidst increased military presence around Machar’s residence. These actions threaten the fragile 2018 peace deal that ended a brutal civil war, raising concerns of a return to violence as tensions in the Upper Nile region escalate.

In South Sudan, the government has arrested key allies of First Vice President Riek Machar, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam. This event occurred as South Sudanese forces surrounded Machar’s residence in the capital, Juba, posing a significant threat to the fragile peace established by a 2018 agreement that ended a devastating civil war.

The arrests follow an attack by an armed faction loyal to Machar on an army base located in Upper Nile state. No specific reasons were disclosed for these detentions; however, Machar expressed concerns that such actions could jeopardize the existing peace agreement, which had previously helped to halt a conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

Water Minister Pal Mai Deng, representing Machar’s SPLM-IO party, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the arrests endanger the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. He pointed out that it undermines the Joint Defence Board’s authority, which is crucial for managing the military forces involved in the agreement.

Amid rising tensions, another official, Puok Both Baluang, reported that additional military personnel allied with Machar have also been confined to their homes without explanation. Major-General Lul Ruai Koang from the South Sudan army refrained from discussing the situation surrounding Machar’s residence or the related arrests completely.

The ongoing unrest can be traced back to the civil war that erupted in 2013 after Machar was dismissed by President Salva Kiir. This conflict displaced over 2.5 million individuals and significantly worsened humanitarian conditions, with many residents facing severe food shortages. Currently, the security situation is tense, particularly in the Upper Nile region, where conflicts have intensified between government forces and armed youth groups.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has noted an uptick in violence in Upper Nile, with reports of clashes involving heavy weaponry that have led to civilian casualties. Analysts fear that these actions might escalate into broader violence.

In response to the arrests, Ter Manyang Gatwich, director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, urged immediate action for the release of the detained officials to prevent a potential outbreak of widespread violence and further bloodshed.

The recent arrests of key military and political figures associated with Riek Machar highlight the precarious state of peace in South Sudan. With tensions rising and the potential for renewed conflict looming, the importance of upholding the 2018 peace agreement cannot be understated. Calls for immediate release of detained officials and efforts to de-escalate the situation are crucial at this juncture to preserve stability and prevent further humanitarian crises.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com