By Yiep Joseph
Micheal Makuei Lueth, the Minister of Information, Communication, Technology, and Postal Services has stressed that the 2018 peace agreement is still progressing despite the arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
During a press conference on Friday, Makuei called on the public not to panic, explaining that Dr. Machar’s house arrest is a procedural measure intended to prevent violence.
He emphasized that while Dr. Machar remains under house arrest during the investigation, other members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) continue to fulfil their roles and implement the peace agreement.
Makuei affirmed that all parties signatory to the peace agreement, including the SPLM/A-IO, remain committed to its implementation.
He acknowledged that some members of the SPLM/A-IO had left Juba following Dr. Machar’s arrest, but he asserted that such departures will not jeopardize the peace process.
“The fate of the agreement is not in danger,” he stated. “The agreement has not collapsed; we assure you that the agreement is progressing as the five parties to the peace agreement continue with its implementation.”
He noted that the arrest of the SPLM/A-IO chairperson does not imply that the entire membership of the SPLM/A-IO is under arrest.
Recently, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) claimed that the arrest of their leader, Dr. Riek Machar, represents the end of the 2018 peace agreement.
In a letter to the media, Oyet Nathaniel Perieno, deputy chairman of the SPLM-IO and first deputy speaker of the national parliament, stated that Machar’s arrest poses a significant threat to the peace agreement and could lead to its collapse.
“The arrest and detention of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny effectively bring the agreement to a collapse; thus, the prospect for peace and stability in South Sudan has now been seriously jeopardized,” Oyet claimed.
He indicated that the arrest ordered by President Kiir breaches commitments, undermines agreements, and reflects a lack of political will to achieve peace and stability in the country.
“Consequently, we would like to declare that with the arrest and detention of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) of 2018 has been abrogated,” he said.
Oyet also raised concerns about escalating airstrikes and military operations near Juba, which are targeting cantonment sites and training centers in Wunliet, Aswa, and Rejaf.
He urged for regional and international intervention to ensure the safety and release of SPLM-IO detainees.