South Sudanese forces have detained petroleum minister Puot Kang Chol and several military officials allied with First Vice President Riek Machar, which poses a threat to the peace deal that ended the civil war. The arrests follow escalating violence in Nasir, and international calls for de-escalation have emerged. Observers warn that failure to manage the situation could lead the country back into conflict.
In South Sudan, authorities have detained the petroleum minister and several senior military officials connected to First Vice President Riek Machar, as announced by Machar’s spokesperson on Wednesday. This development threatens the fragile peace agreement that concluded the lengthy civil war. This arrest follows recent violent confrontations in the key town of Nasir between national forces and the White Army militia, primarily consisting of Machar’s ethnic group, the Nuer.
The arrested individuals include Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol from Nasir, and Gabriel Doup Lam, the deputy commander of the army. Additional senior military officials linked to Machar have been placed under house arrest, as disclosed by spokesperson Puok Both Baluang. He stated, “As of now, there’s not any reason provided to us that led to the arrest or the detention of (these) officials.”
There has also been a military presence surrounding Machar’s residence, although he was able to commute to his office earlier on the same day. The government’s information minister, Michael Makuei, did not offer a statement and is expected to address the media later.
The civil strife in South Sudan, which erupted shortly after independence from Sudan, resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities and displaced 2.5 million people. Although a peace agreement signed in 2018 has largely curtailed direct confrontations between President Salva Kiir and Machar, sporadic violence continues.
The African Union and United Nations peacekeeping forces in South Sudan have recently urged for a de-escalation in the conflict in Nasir and expressed concerns regarding the potential for widespread violence. Ter Manyang, the leader of the Juba-based Center for Peace and Advocacy, noted that the arrests could lead to further conflict. He remarked, “The country is likely to slide to war unless the situation is managed by the top leadership of the country.”
The situation in South Sudan remains precarious following the detention of key officials associated with First Vice President Riek Machar. These arrests, amidst ongoing violence in Nasir, pose a significant threat to the peace agreement established in 2018, which has spared the nation from widespread conflict. The calls for de-escalation from international bodies highlight the urgent need for effective leadership to stabilize the country.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
