Wed Mar 05 13:35:00 UTC 2025: ## South Sudan Arrests Shake Peace Deal
**Nairobi, March 5, 2025** – South Sudan’s fragile peace agreement is facing a serious challenge following the arrest of the petroleum minister, Puot Kang Chol, and several senior military officials allied with First Vice-President Riek Machar. The arrests, confirmed by Mr. Machar’s spokesperson Puok Both Baluang, have raised concerns about a potential resurgence of violence.
While the reason for the arrests remains unclear, Mr. Baluang stated that other senior military officials loyal to Mr. Machar are under house arrest. South Sudanese troops have also been deployed around Mr. Machar’s residence, though he was able to go to his office on Wednesday.
The 2018 peace agreement formally ended a five-year civil war between Mr. Machar and President Salva Kiir, a conflict that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. Despite the agreement, tensions remain high, and sporadic violence continues to plague the country. The current situation raises serious questions about the future stability of South Sudan and the longevity of its hard-won peace.
First Piper 