The power-sharing deal between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar is on the verge of collapsing, putting the country at risk of returning to its devastating civil war. Machar was arrested in a dramatic overnight raid in the capital, Juba, and his party believes that this action has invalidated the 2018 peace deal. The arrest has been denounced internationally, with warnings that South Sudan is on the brink of widespread conflict.
The situation has been escalating for weeks, with reports of attacks by President Kiir’s forces on Machar’s supporters. Analysts suggest that Kiir has been trying to solidify his power and sideline Machar through various actions, such as cabinet reshuffles. This move threatens the power-sharing agreement that was a key component of the peace deal.
Daniel Akech, a senior analyst on South Sudan, explained that the peace agreement was based on creating a constitution agreeable to all parties and power-sharing, including military control. However, recent firings of governors aligned with the opposition by Kiir indicate a potential power grab. If the situation devolves into violence, it may not be a simple binary conflict between Kiir and Machar, but involve multiple factions within the opposition.
The arrest of Machar has put peace and stability at risk in South Sudan, and international calls for de-escalation have been made. The future of the country hangs in the balance as it teeters on the edge of a return to conflict and chaos.
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