South Sudan Detains Oil Minister and Military Officials in Threat to Peace Deal
The detentions of the petroleum minister and senior military officials follow intense fighting in Nasir, a strategic northern town, jeopardizing a peace deal that ended a five-year civil war. South Sudanese forces have deployed troops around Machar's residence, despite his ability to travel to his office on Wednesday morning. The arrests are likely to further destabilize the fragile peace that has maintained a delicate balance among competing armed leaders since 2018.
- The instability in South Sudan highlights the interconnectedness of regional conflicts, where the disruption of oil exports due to conflict in neighboring Sudan has significantly impacted the country's foreign exchange earnings.
- What role will the international community play in mediating the situation and preventing South Sudan from sliding back into war?