South Sudan’s Minister of Peacebuilding, Stephen Par Kuol, has been arrested, following the detentions of other officials allied with First Vice President Riek Machar. These arrests threaten the fragile peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and Machar. Increasing violence in Upper Nile State raises alarms, prompting calls from regional countries and Western embassies for peace and dialogue.
On Thursday, South Sudan’s Minister of Peacebuilding, Stephen Par Kuol, was arrested, adding to a series of detentions involving allies of First Vice President Riek Machar. The arrest was confirmed by Machar’s press secretary, Puok Both Baluang, who reported that the National Security Service apprehended Kuol at his office shortly before the announcement.
Kuol’s detention follows the recent arrests of the oil minister and the deputy chief of the army, both key figures associated with Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) party. These actions have raised alarm regarding the stability of the peace agreement established between Machar and President Salva Kiir.
South Sudan, which is the youngest nation globally, achieved a power-sharing agreement in 2018 that ended a five-year civil conflict. However, escalating tensions, particularly violent confrontations in the Upper Nile State, threaten the integrity of the unity government comprised of both leaders.
The United Nations has indicated an increase in violent conflicts in Upper Nile State, with reports of heavy weaponry and significant fatalities. In response, regional nations and Western embassies issued joint appeals for a cessation of hostilities.
Statements from these diplomatic entities emphasize the need for Juba-based leaders to prioritize peaceful dialogue and the welfare of the South Sudanese populace. Furthermore, analysts have criticized President Kiir’s political maneuvers which appear to focus on consolidating his authority and marginalizing Machar, including the dismissal of two vice presidents last month without consultation and the removal of a governor from Machar’s party.
The recent arrest of Minister Stephen Par Kuol is part of a troubling trend, raising concerns about the fragility of South Sudan’s peace agreement. With growing tensions and ongoing violence, the unity government’s stability remains at risk. The diplomatic community’s calls for dialogue highlight the importance of civil discourse in preserving peace. It is imperative for leaders to prioritize the interests of the South Sudanese people to prevent further destabilization in the region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
