The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, an ally of Vice-President Riek Machar, has heightened concerns over South Sudan’s fragile peace agreement. Following accusations of collaboration with rebels, violence has escalated in Upper Nile state, prompting condemnation from Machar’s spokesperson. The 2018 peace deal, which sought to end a deadly civil war, faces significant threats amid ongoing tensions and violent clashes.
The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, the deputy head of South Sudan’s armed forces and an ally of Vice-President Riek Machar, has raised alarm regarding the country’s precarious peace deal. Following violent clashes in the Upper Nile state, Lam was apprehended by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), aligned with President Salva Kiir, who accused him of collusion with local rebels from the Nuer ethnic group, which includes Machar’s supporters.
Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson for Machar, criticized the arrest, asserting that it infringes upon the power-sharing accord established in 2018, which concluded a destructive five-year civil war. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has recently reported increased violence in Upper Nile, marking C clashes involving heavy weaponry in Nassir that resulted in casualties among both civilians and military personnel.
This 2018 peace agreement was designed to resolve the long-standing conflict between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar, which resulted in the loss of approximately 400,000 lives. Despite this, the region continues to experience significant unrest, and violence remains pervasive in South Sudan, a nation that achieved independence from Sudan in 2011.
The recent arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam threatens the fragile peace agreement in South Sudan. With persistent violence and clashes, the stability of the nation remains precarious. As the United Nations documents increasing unrest, it is evident that the 2018 peace deal, which aimed to resolve deep-seated conflicts, faces serious challenges in ensuring long-term peace and security.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
