The SPLM-IO has expressed alarm over the SSPDF’s heavy deployment around Dr. Riek Machar’s residence, following the arrest of Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam. This situation threatens the fragile peace agreement established in South Sudan and has sparked calls for de-escalation and the protection of key agreements.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has raised concerns regarding the increased presence of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) surrounding First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar’s residence. This heightened security is particularly alarming given Machar’s important role in the fragile peace agreement, known as the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which seeks to unify various armed factions into a national army.
Following the recent arrest of Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, who is a senior figure within the SPLM-IO and the Joint Defence Board (JDB), these security measures have intensified. SPLM-IO Spokesperson Pal Mai Deng criticized the detention, asserting it violates the revitalized agreement and threatens the operations of the JDB, which oversees military command under the peace framework. Deng called for Lam’s swift release and urged an easing of tensions, particularly amid violence in Nasir County.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), confirmed reports that government forces, including the elite Tiger Division, have effectively encircled Machar’s residence, sealing off all access points. He expressed alarm at the public distress this situation has caused and emphasized the risks posed to the peace process.
Eyewitness accounts have verified a significant escalation of security personnel around Machar’s residence in Amarat. Furthermore, an anonymous source identified Gen. Lam and several other SPLM-IO officials as detained, linking their arrests to clashes between the SSPDF and the White Army in Nasir. This was preceded by a high-level meeting held by the Presidency to address the growing tensions and insecurity affecting several regions, which included the participation of key political leaders.
In summary, the recent heavy deployment of the SSPDF around Dr. Riek Machar’s residence has raised significant concerns about the stability of the peace process in South Sudan. The arrest of Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam is viewed as a violation of established agreements, leading to calls for de-escalation. Engaging in constructive dialogue remains crucial as the nation navigates these tumultuous waters and seeks to ensure peace.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
