Deputy President Riek Machar warns that President Salva Kiir’s recent cabinet reshuffle jeopardizes the 2018 peace agreement by violating the power-sharing deal that ended years of civil war. Key officials, including two vice presidents, were dismissed unilaterally, raising concerns about future governance and political reforms in South Sudan, especially with elections pushed to 2026.
Riek Machar, South Sudan’s deputy president, has expressed significant concern regarding a recent cabinet reshuffle executed by President Salva Kiir, stating that it poses a serious threat to the 2018 peace agreement. In a sudden move, Kiir’s government dismissed several key officials, including Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng and General Alfred Futuyo Karaba, along with two vice presidents and the intelligence chief. Machar contends that these unilateral actions contravene the power-sharing arrangement established to conclude years of civil conflict.
Following the peace agreement, which appointed Machar as first vice president, he emphasizes that these dismissals disrupt the intended balance among the five vice presidents of South Sudan. With essential reforms still outstanding and elections postponed until 2026, such decisions raise alarming questions about the viability and future of the peace accord. Machar’s statements indicate a potential destabilization of the fragile political landscape in the aftermath of prolonged civil unrest.
In summary, the recent dismissals by President Kiir threaten the stability of South Sudan’s fragile political climate and challenge the integrity of the peace agreement established in 2018. The implications of this cabinet reshuffle could jeopardize the progress made thus far, particularly in the face of upcoming political reforms and delayed elections. Strong adherence to the established power-sharing framework is essential for maintaining peace in South Sudan.
Original Source: iafrica.com
