Juba, South Sudan| The fragile peace process in South Sudan faces a new crisis as the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) has suspended its participation in key security arrangements under the 2018 peace deal.
The opposition faction, led by First Vice President Riek Machar, cited the detention of its senior leaders and the presence of Ugandan troops as primary reasons for the decision, escalating tensions with the government of President Salva Kiir.
In a strongly worded letter dated March 17, SPLM-IO deputy chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino announced an immediate freeze on the party’s involvement in security and political mechanisms.
“All participation by the members of the security and political mechanisms is hereby frozen with immediate effect,” Pierino stated, adding that the withdrawal will remain in effect until “political detainees are unconditionally released.”
The move affects crucial bodies such as the Joint Defence Board, the High-Level Political Committee, the Joint Military Ceasefire Committee, and the Joint Transitional Security Committee—institutions central to coordinating security measures and ensuring stability.
Political Detentions and Rising Instability
The crisis follows the recent arrest of several high-profile SPLM-IO officials, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and General Gabriel Duop Lam.
Their detention, which the opposition claims was carried out without due process, has fueled accusations of political repression.
On Monday, government spokesman Michael Makuei confirmed that the state had “revoked the immunity of the detained opposition officials” and announced a crackdown on opposition-linked armed groups.
Adding to the instability, fierce clashes erupted in Nasir, near the Ethiopian border, where South Sudanese government forces engaged in battles with local White Army militias.
The White Army, a loosely organized community defense force, has long been a key player in South Sudan’s complex conflict dynamics.
Makuei declared that the government had “declared war on the White Army” and urged civilians to evacuate Nasir, signaling an escalation of hostilities.
Ugandan Military Presence Sparks Controversy
Another major point of contention is the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan. The SPLM-IO has condemned the move, with Pierino warning that it “complicates the geopolitical situation of South Sudan” and could be interpreted as a “declaration of war on the peace partners and the people of South Sudan.”
The South Sudanese government has not provided a clear explanation for Uganda’s military involvement, but analysts suggest it may be linked to regional security concerns and alliances.
Uncertain Path Forward for Peace
The SPLM-IO’s withdrawal from the security arrangements significantly weakens the already fragile peace deal, which was brokered in 2018 to end years of civil war that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.
The agreement established a unity government in 2020, but tensions between President Kiir’s ruling faction and Machar’s opposition have persisted, threatening to unravel the coalition.
Observers warn that the latest developments could push the country closer to renewed conflict, especially if the detained officials are not released or if military confrontations escalate.
With Uganda’s involvement adding a new dimension to the crisis, regional actors and international mediators may need to step in to prevent a complete breakdown of the peace process.
For now, the future of South Sudan’s stability hangs in the balance as both sides brace for the next phase of this escalating political standoff.
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