What’s hampering peace in South Sudan?

The world’s youngest country is on the brink of more political turmoil, threatening a peace process that took months to come.

A faction of South Sudan’s armed opposition says it has replaced its leader and the country’s Vice President Riek Machar.

Mining minister Taban Deng Gai is now the acting Vice President.

Gai was fired on Friday by Machar, who accused him of defecting to his long-time rival President Salva Kiir’s party.

But in a surprise turn of events, Machar’s own party members backed Gai and appointed him as the interim vice president.

Riek Machar left the capital last week and his location is unknown. He insists on returning only if a neutral force backed by the African Union is deployed. Violence between rival factions has killed more than 300 people and displaced thousands.

So, how does this complicate the already tense situation in the country? And is an international intervention the answer?

Presenter: Dareen Abughaida

Guests:

Ateny Wek Ateny, spokesman for President Salvia Kiir.

Peter Adwok Nyaba, South Sudan’s minister of higher education, speaking on behalf of Riek Machar.

Peter Biar Ajak, founder of the Centre for Strategic Analyses and Research and a former adviser to the government.