South Sudan detains oil minister and several military officials, says vice president's spokesman
South Sudan has formally been at peace since the 2018 agreement ended a five-year conflict between Machar and President Salva Kiir that killed hundreds of thousands of people.
South Sudanese forces have arrested the petroleum minister and several senior military officials allied with first vice president Riek Machar, a vice presidential spokesperson said, potentially jeopardising a peace deal that ended the civil war.
South Sudan has formally been at peace since the 2018 agreement ended a five-year conflict between Machar and President Salva Kiir that killed hundreds of thousands of people. The two men still share a fractious relationship, and violence between rival communities flares up frequently.
More To Read
- South Sudan President Kiir dismisses finance minister, top security officials in major shake-up
- Fears grow over South Sudan commentator arrested in UAE for criticising President Kiir
- South Sudan crisis: Suspended VP Riek Machar charged with treason and terrorism
- Kiir sacks finance, investment ministers amid South Sudan’s economic turmoil
- Salva Kiir appoints daughter as Presidential Envoy, stirring nepotism debate
- South Sudan confirms deadly border clash with Ugandan forces
Machar's spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, said Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and the deputy head of the army were arrested, while all other senior military officials allied with Machar were placed under house arrest.
"As of now, there's not any reason provided to us that led to the arrest or the detention of (these) officials," Baluang told Reuters.
South Sudanese troops were also deployed around Machar's residence, although the vice president had been able to travel to his office on Wednesday morning, Baluang said.
Top Stories Today
Reader Comments
Trending
