South Sudan’s Peacebuilding Minister, Stephen Par Kuol, was released by security forces after competing arrests created tensions. This follows historical unrest fueled by community violence and internal political rivalry among leaders. The government remains silent amidst these detentions, while international organizations push for peace and stability in Upper Nile State.
Recent developments in South Sudan have led to the release of Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, after detentions of several officials—including the petroleum minister and a deputy military chief—heightened political tensions. These arrests were implemented by security forces aligned with President Salva Kiir, jeopardizing the peace agreement that concluded a violent civil war in 2018. The unrest has resurfaced amid ongoing conflicts between communities, particularly in Upper Nile State.
Despite the 2018 peace accord which formally ended the five-year conflict, South Sudan continues to experience violence among rival communities. The detention of the Peacebuilding Minister occurred amid escalating confrontations between national forces and the White Army militia, a group allied with First Vice President Riek Machar during the civil war. Reports indicate that these developments threaten the fragile peace established in the country.
After the release of Minister Kuol in the early morning hours, updates revealed that the petroleum minister and the deputy military chief remain in custody. Furthermore, security forces have been deployed around Machar’s residence, although he was reported to have visited his office amidst these developments. The South Sudan government has refrained from commenting on the detentions, with accusations being levied against Machar’s allies for cooperation with the White Army in violent confrontations.
International bodies, including IGAD, the United Nations, and the African Union, are actively engaging with Machar’s party to promote stability in the region, particularly around the troubled Upper Nile State. They underscore the need for all involved parties to cooperate for a peaceful resolution and to prevent further escalation of violence.
The recent release of South Sudan’s Peacebuilding Minister, amidst a backdrop of political turmoil and community violence, highlights the fragile state of peace established by the 2018 accord. Continued arrests of senior officials and accusations of collaboration with militia groups pose significant challenges to stability. As regional and international entities work towards restoring calm, the situation underscores the vital need for cooperation among leaders to uphold peace agreements and prevent further conflict in the region.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
