“Pres Kiir orders arrest of Petroleum Minister in latest violation of R-ARCSS: SouthSudan Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang has been arrested by forces loyal to Pres Kiir in Juba on Wednesday. It’s the latest escalation by Pres kiir against Machar’s SPLM-IO party” (Juba Daily News, 05.03.2025).
“Puot Kang Chol, one of the senior SPLM-IO figures along with his family members arrested by NSS in Juba today at 2:00 am. He was accused of collaborating with White Army against SSPDF in Nasir” (Ezekial Garang, 05.03.2025).
In Juba the continuing to arrest high-ranking officials and officials in association with SPLM/A-IO or the IO. These are the appointees and the officials, which are holding office as a part of the R-ARCSS. This is J1 and the authorities’ picking sides and there is now allegations that the IO is working in collaboration with the White Army in Nasir County, Upper Nile state. Alas, the White Army has dismissed that, but the J1 and the authorities believes this.
There is now rumours and more speculations on what is going on. There was already concerns and such about the mass arrests yesterday. That is happening as the White Army has been able to take Nasir town. This cannot be downplayed, but now the state arrests people, instead of finding solutions or listening to the youths who arms themselves in the Upper Nile state. That’s what the J1 should do, but instead its going against the IO without proof or evidence.
Now rumours of a house-arrest of Dr. Riek Machar. If that happens, than we are in a slippery slop and returning to skirmishes again. We are then returning to the Machar versus Kiir again. They are going back to start and returning to conflict. That instead of resolving matters and ensuring stability. This is so fickle and just worsening the situation by every hour.
The J1 and President Kiir is causing more harm by doing this. He isn’t assuring people and creating more insecurity. This man is playing with fire and using fire to end it. That isn’t what you are supposed to. However, that is the choice and what he does.
SPLM/A-IO or IO are now targeted and most likely more arrests coming their way. Only the ones going into hiding that can get away. The J1 and President Kiir is going after them. He hasn’t arrested others or implicated them. No, he does it to one group and its deliberate.
There is trouble brewing and this is a dangerous precedent. Peace.
MinBane 