JUBA, South Sudan (Al-YURAE — South Sudan’s opposition and President Salva Kiir pledged to de-escalate tensions, but the country appears to be sliding rapidly toward renewed conflict.
Opposition spokesman Puol Mai Deng said the situation in Nasir city is calming after Vice President Riek Machar reached an understanding with an armed group there.
Deng confirmed the arrest of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and seven opposition members Thursday morning. He said the army commander in Nasir and other personnel are expected to be evacuated soon.
A government spokesman said Wednesday that Kiir declared the country would not return to war, after security forces arrested the oil minister and senior army officials allied with Machar.
Machar’s spokesman said the arrests threaten the 2018 peace deal that ended a five-year civil war. He added that security forces surrounded Machar’s residence, but the vice president was able to go to his office Wednesday.
Clashes erupted between government forces and the “White Army” militia in Upper Nile State, causing civilian casualties and displacement.
The 2013-2018 civil war killed an estimated 400,000 people and displaced 2.5 million. Nearly half the 11 million population faces food insecurity.
Oil production, a key income source, has declined in the impoverished nation.
