South Sudan Appoints New Foreign Minister Amid U.S. Dispute and Domestic Turmoil
President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has replaced foreign minister Ramadan Mohamed with Monday Simaya Kumba amid tensions with the US over the deportation of a Congolese man. Concurrently, Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM-IO, faces opposition within his party after being detained. International calls for peace and the release of political detainees persist as South Sudan navigates its ongoing political crisis.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Monday Simaya Kumba as the new foreign minister, following the dismissal of Ramadan Mohamed amidst a dispute with the United States. The announcement, made via state media, did not provide a specific reason for the change. This decision comes in light of US pressure regarding the deportation of a Congolese national, which led the Trump administration to threaten to revoke visas for South Sudanese citizens. In a subsequent response, South Sudan accepted the return of the individual on Tuesday.
In a related development, a faction of South Sudan’s primary opposition party, the SPLM-IO, announced the replacement of its chairman and first vice-president Riek Machar with Stephen Par Kuol, the peacebuilding minister, until Machar is released from house arrest. This change has drawn criticism from party members and may allow President Kiir to strengthen his control by appointing Kuol. Political analyst Kuol Abraham Nyuon noted that Kiir seems to be seeking those who will align with his interests, consolidating his legitimacy.
Riek Machar, who has been a part of a power-sharing government since a 2018 peace agreement that ended a civil war, was detained last month after being accused of inciting rebellion. His party, the SPLM-IO, refutes government claims of supporting a rival militia involved in recent clashes. The African Union mediators, who recently visited Juba to address the ongoing political crisis, have not reported advancements in the peace negotiations.
Several embassies including those of France, Germany, Norway, and the US, have urged South Sudan’s leaders to fulfill their responsibilities for peace, particularly demanding the release of political detainees. They expressed the urgency of peace as a priority in a joint statement. Moreover, the SPLM-IO has stated that Machar’s detention undermines the original peace agreement, although its military factions continue to pledge loyalty to Machar, distancing themselves from the current administration’s actions.
In summary, South Sudan has undergone significant political changes with the replacement of its foreign minister amid a diplomatic dispute with the United States. Furthermore, a faction of the SPLM-IO has replaced Riek Machar, raising concerns about power consolidation by President Kiir. The situation in South Sudan remains critical as international efforts continue to promote peace and address the detention of political figures.
Original Source: www.irishtimes.com
