In a troubling development for South Sudan, key allies of Vice President Riek Machar were arrested as military forces surrounded his residence in Juba. The arrests jeopardize the fragile 2018 peace agreement established to End the civil war, amidst growing concerns over unrest in the Upper Nile region. Calls for the release of the detainees have intensified to avoid escalating violence and conflict.
In South Sudan, tensions are escalating as key allies of Vice President Riek Machar, including the petroleum minister and deputy army chief, have been arrested amid a military crackdown at Machar’s residence in the capital, Juba. General Gabriel Duop Lam, a loyalist to Machar, was detained on Tuesday, followed by the arrest of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, who is also being held along with his guards and family members.
The arrests come without any formal explanation, coinciding with an incident involving an armed group allied to Machar overtaking an army base in the northern Upper Nile state. These developments threaten the fragile peace established by a 2018 agreement ending a five-year civil conflict that resulted in over 400,000 deaths. Water Minister Pal Mai Deng warned that Lam’s arrest jeopardizes the peace agreement, indicating that such actions undermine trust and could lead to further destabilization.
Machar has previously voiced concerns regarding the dismissal of his allies from governmental positions, which he views as a direct threat to the existing peace framework with President Salva Kiir. Deng emphasized the risk of destabilization due to the large deployment of South Sudan army troops around Machar’s home, stating these measures diminish confidence among political factions. Additionally, there are reports that other senior military allies of Machar have been placed under house arrest without clear justification.
The South Sudan army has refrained from commenting on these arrests, with its spokesperson merely acknowledging the surrounding military presence. With the ongoing civil conflict, which erupted after Kiir removed Machar from office, significant numbers of civilians continue to suffer from displacement and food shortages. Escalating tensions are particularly evident as the SSPDF has accused Lam of collaborating with the White Army rebels, which further complicates the situation.
Civil society leaders, such as Ter Manyang Gatwich from the Center for Peace and Advocacy, are demanding the immediate release of those detained, advocating for measures to prevent further violence and potential escalation into a full-scale war. The situation in South Sudan remains precarious, with deep-rooted issues concerning governance, ethnic dispute, and humanitarian crises still prevalent.
The arrest of key political and military figures allied with Riek Machar raises significant concerns regarding the stability of South Sudan and the adherence to the 2018 peace agreement. The actions taken by government forces not only threaten the fragile peace but also risk reigniting civil conflict amidst ongoing humanitarian challenges. Experts and civil society leaders are urging for immediate dialogue and the release of detainees to avert a potential escalation into violence, emphasizing the necessity of restoring trust among the political factions.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
