South Sudanese security forces released Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol after his unlawful detention, amidst escalating tension from the arrest of several officials allied with First Vice President Riek Machar. The petroleum minister and a deputy military chief remain in custody following recent clashes between national forces and the White Army militia. Calls from international representatives for calm in Upper Nile State underscore the ongoing instability in the region despite the 2018 peace agreement.
In recent developments in South Sudan, security forces aligned with President Salva Kiir have released the peacebuilding minister, a significant ally of First Vice President Riek Machar. This occurs amidst rising tensions due to the arrests of several senior officials affiliated with Machar between Tuesday and Thursday, which include the petroleum minister and a deputy military chief, threatening the peace deal established after the civil war.
On Friday, Puok Both Baluang, a spokesperson for Machar, announced that Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol and three staff members were unlawfully detained but subsequently released early that morning. The petroleum minister and the deputy military chief, however, remain in custody.
Authorities have intensified security around Machar’s residence, although he managed to travel to his office. The detentions come in the wake of significant clashes in the northern town of Nasir, involving national forces and the White Army militia, predominantly composed of members from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group.
During the 2013-2018 civil war, the White Army supported Machar’s forces against the Dinka troops loyal to Kiir. Meanwhile, the government has refrained from commenting on the detentions, while Information Minister Michael Makuei has accused Machar’s forces of collaborating with the White Army in recent assaults on military positions near Nasir, a claim the opposition denies.
Although South Sudan has nominally experienced peace since the 2018 agreement concluded the devastating five-year conflict resulting in significant casualties, inter-community violence remains a recurrent issue. On Thursday, representatives from IGAD, the United Nations, the African Union, and RJMEC met with Machar to encourage a restoration of calm in Upper Nile State, where Nasir is located.
In summary, the release of South Sudan’s peacebuilding minister amidst a backdrop of political tension highlights the fragile state of peace in the nation. While some officials have been released, others remain detained, indicating ongoing strife between supporter factions of the government and opposition. The situation remains precarious, and the international community advocates for a return to stability to reinforce the peace agreement established in 2018.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
