In South Sudan, tensions escalated as Minister Stephen Par Kuol was arrested, alongside other officials linked to First Vice President Riek Machar. The arrests coincide with ongoing violence between national forces and the White Army militia amid accusations against Machar’s faction. Church leaders and analysts express concerns over renewed instability, urging dialogue to prevent conflict.
South Sudanese authorities have intensified their campaign against allies of First Vice President Riek Machar. Recently, they arrested Stephen Par Kuol, the minister of peacebuilding, marking a significant deterioration in political tensions that church leaders caution could ignite a renewed civil conflict. Puok Both Baluang, Machar’s spokesperson, confirmed the arrest via the social media platform X, stating, “The National Security Service (NSS) has struck again, arresting Hon. Stephen Par Kuol … from his office a few minutes ago.”
This arrest follows the apprehension of several senior officials, including the petroleum minister and the deputy head of the army, associated with Machar’s faction. The detentions escalate following violent clashes in the Upper Nile State involving government forces and the White Army, a militia predominantly composed of armed Nuer fighters, Machar’s ethnic group. Amidst these tensions, Information Minister Michael Makuei accused Machar’s supporters of conspiring with the White Army to assault a military base in Nasir.
The White Army had previously allied with Machar during the tumultuous civil war from 2013 to 2018, which saw widespread bloodshed and displacement. Approximately 400,000 lives were lost, and 2.5 million individuals were displaced as a result of ethnic hostilities between Dinka and Nuer factions. While a peace agreement established in 2018 has largely restrained full-scale conflict, sporadic violence persists, and the ongoing civil strife in Sudan has provided increased firepower to local armed groups. Kuol had been a key figure in the 2018 negotiations aimed at fostering peace.
In a recent statement, church leaders expressed concern over the rising insecurity and called for dialogue to mitigate political discord. Daniel Akech Thiong, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, remarked that the ongoing arrests signal a serious escalation. He stated, “indicate a serious escalation, likely prompting armed groups linked to the opposition to respond with attacks on government bases in Upper Nile and Jonglei states.” Furthermore, the government has postponed national elections to December 2026, citing insufficient preparation time for the electoral process.
In summary, the recent arrest of the peacebuilding minister marks a troubling escalation of political tensions in South Sudan, highlighting an alarming trend of crackdowns on opposition figures. The ongoing violence, particularly in Upper Nile State, poses a significant threat to stability and peace. Calls for dialogue from church leaders and the implications of these arrests on opposition responses underscore the precarious nature of South Sudanese politics as the nation grapples with the legacy of its violent past and the prospect of future turmoil.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
