South Sudanese soldiers surrounded Vice President Riek Machar’s home as several of his allies were arrested following an armed group affiliated with him capturing an army base. Concerns over the stability of the 2018 peace agreement have risen due to these actions and the detention of key figures. Western diplomats have urged for de-escalation amidst fears of renewed violence and postponed elections.
On Wednesday, South Sudanese soldiers encircled Vice President Riek Machar’s residence in Juba, leading to the arrest of several of his associates. This action follows an incident where an armed faction allied with Machar captured an army base in northern South Sudan, raising concerns over the stability of the nation.
Machar has previously warned that the dismissal of his allies from government positions undermines the 2018 peace accord with President Salva Kiir, which concluded a five-year civil war that resulted in over 400,000 casualties.
General Gabriel Duop Lam, the deputy army chief and a supporter of Machar, was detained on Tuesday due to the recent conflict. Additionally, Machar’s ally and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol was arrested on Wednesday along with his family and bodyguards without any official explanation provided for these arrests.
While Machar and his party, the SPLM-IO, have not released any statements regarding the ongoing conflict, Water Minister and party spokesperson Pal Mai Deng indicated that Lam’s arrest jeopardizes the entire peace agreement.
Last week, Western diplomats urged the country’s leaders to take action to reduce tensions. Ter Manyang Gatwich, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, expressed concerns about the potential for escalating violence and called for the immediate release of those detained to prevent a descent into what he referred to as “full-scale war.”
South Sudan has yet to fully implement the 2018 peace agreement; elections initially planned for last year have been postponed by two years, largely due to inadequate funding.
In conclusion, the recent developments involving the encirclement of Vice President Riek Machar’s residence and the arrests of his associates underscore the fragile political situation in South Sudan. The potential implications on the 2018 peace deal are significant, and calls for the immediate release of detained individuals reflect concerns over the possibility of renewed violence. The international community continues to encourage de-escalation efforts as the nation struggles with the aftermath of its civil war and delays in electoral processes.
Original Source: apnews.com
