Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol has been arrested by South Sudanese forces, an act that threatens the delicate peace process in the country. This follows violence in Nasir and arrests of other officials allied with Vice President Riek Machar. The situation underscores ongoing tensions and instability in South Sudan’s political landscape post-civil war.
South Sudan has witnessed a significant escalation in political tensions with the arrest of the Peacebuilding Minister, Hon. Stephen Par Kuol. This event was confirmed by a spokesperson for Vice President Riek Machar, underscoring the fragility of the ongoing peace process in the nation. The arrest was conducted by the National Security Service (NSS), marking a troubling trend following similar detentions of other senior officials linked to Machar.
Recent violence, particularly in the strategic town of Nasir, has raised alarms as clashes occurred between national forces and the White Army militia, an armed group primarily consisting of the Nuer ethnic group, the same group that supports Machar. The White Army had previously fought alongside Machar’s forces during the civil war from 2013 to 2018, which primarily divided ethnic groups between the Dinka loyal to President Salva Kiir and Nuer supporters of Machar.
The situation intensified when Information Minister Michael Makuei accused Machar’s loyal forces of an attack on a military garrison near Nasir, hinting at collaborative efforts with the White Army. Kuol, the peacebuilding minister, is notable for his involvement in negotiations that led to the 2018 peace agreement intended to resolve the civil conflict. Ignoring requests for a statement, Makuei’s response regarding Kuol’s arrest remains absent.
Alongside Kuol’s detention, the vice presidency has disclosed other arrests, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and deputy army head Gabriel Doup Lam, both prominent figures aligned with Machar. These developments raise serious concerns regarding the stability of the peace framework that has been tenuously upheld since the end of the civil war.
The recent arrest of South Sudan’s Peacebuilding Minister, coupled with accusations against Vice President Machar’s forces, highlights the critical instability affecting the country’s peace process. The detentions of high-profile officials signal a troubling trajectory for political discourse in South Sudan and raise questions regarding the future of the 2018 peace agreement that aimed to resolve long-standing conflicts. It is essential for all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue and cooperation to maintain peace in the region.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
