Deputy President Riek Machar has threatened to withdraw from South Sudan’s fragile peace agreement if two fired officials are not reinstated within 24 hours. The dismissals, part of a government reshuffle, are seen as violations of the 2018 power-sharing deal. The political situation remains precarious as the country continues to face challenges in governance and stability post-civil war.
South Sudan’s Deputy President, Riek Machar, has issued a warning regarding potential withdrawal from the existing peace agreement with President Salva Kiir. This threat is a reaction to a recent government reshuffle that resulted in the dismissal of several high-ranking officials, including Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng and Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba. Machar demands the reinstatement of these officials within a 24-hour period, asserting that their removal breaches the 2018 power-sharing deal.
Machar’s statement emphasized that his faction will not endure any further violations of the peace agreement, which was crucial in ending a prolonged civil conflict in South Sudan. The reshuffle also involved the removal of two vice presidents and the nation’s spy chief, reflecting the ongoing tensions between the competing factions in the government. While there has been no immediate response from President Kiir or his administration, the implications of these dismissals could threaten the fragile political landscape.
The 2018 peace agreement, which seeks to solidify unity among South Sudan’s political factions, remains unfulfilled. Economic stability and governance have proven challenging since the country’s independence in 2011, particularly following the ethnic-based civil war that erupted in 2013. Repeatedly delayed presidential elections are now anticipated to occur in 2026, amidst continuing warnings from United Nations experts about the risks to stability posed by political stalemates and unmet deadlines concerning crucial reforms.
In summary, Deputy President Riek Machar has threatened to exit the fragile peace agreement with President Salva Kiir, citing the recent dismissal of key officials as a violation of their 2018 agreement. This political crisis underscores the ongoing challenges and tensions within South Sudan’s leadership, which have yet to see a true implementation of the peace terms. The international community remains concerned about the prospects for stability as the country approaches its next planned elections in 2026.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
