South Sudanese security forces have arrested Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, an ally of First Vice President Riek Machar, marking the latest in a string of detentions targeting figures associated with Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO).
The arrest, which took place on Thursday, comes just days after the deputy army chief and the oil minister—both Machar allies—were also taken into custody.
“The National Security Service (NSS) has struck again, arresting Hon. Stephen Par Kuol, Minister of Peacebuilding and Secretary General of the National Transitional Committee (NTC), from his office a few minutes ago,” Machar’s press secretary Puok Both Baluang wrote on Facebook.
Concerns Over Fragile Peace
The recent arrests have raised fears of instability in South Sudan’s already fragile peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and Machar. The country emerged from a brutal five-year civil war in 2018 after both leaders agreed to a power-sharing arrangement.
Tensions between the two factions have escalated, particularly in Upper Nile State, where government forces and Machar-backed rebels have reportedly clashed. The United Nations has warned of increasing violence in the region, citing the use of heavy weaponry and multiple casualties.
Calls for Peaceful Resolution
Regional actors and Western diplomats, including the United States, Britain, and the European Union, issued a joint statement on Wednesday urging South Sudanese leaders to prioritize dialogue over conflict.
“Juba-based leaders must demonstrate their commitment to peaceful dialogue and should put the interest of the South Sudanese people first,” the statement read.
President Kiir’s recent political moves have also come under scrutiny. Last month, he dismissed two vice-presidents from the unity government without consulting other stakeholders and removed the governor of Western Equatoria State, a key SPLM-IO member.
Analysts view these actions as attempts to consolidate power while sidelining Machar, raising further concerns about the stability of the nation’s fragile peace process.