The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam threatens South Sudan’s fragile peace deal. This action, which violates the 2018 power-sharing agreement, follows increased violence in Upper Nile state, involving fatal clashes between the army and local youth. The original peace deal aimed to resolve longstanding conflicts but has faced ongoing challenges since its inception.
The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, the deputy head of South Sudan’s armed forces and a close ally of Vice-President Riek Machar, has intensified concerns regarding the nation’s fragile peace agreement. Lam’s detention by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) is tied to recent violent clashes in Upper Nile state. The SSPDF accuses him and his troops of colluding with local rebel groups predominantly comprising members from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group.
Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson for Machar, strongly criticized the arrest. He asserted that this action violates the 2018 power-sharing agreement that was instrumental in concluding South Sudan’s devastating five-year civil war. This agreement was designed to stabilize power dynamics between President Salva Kiir and Machar.
Recent reports from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan indicate heightened violence in Upper Nile, especially in Nassir, where confrontations have erupted between the army and armed local youth. These clashes have involved heavy weaponry, resulting in injuries and fatalities among both civilians and military personnel.
The 2018 peace deal aimed to resolve a civil conflict rooted in the rivalry between Kiir and Machar, which led to approximately 400,000 deaths. However, ongoing tensions and outbreaks of violence continue to challenge stability in South Sudan, a nation that attained independence from Sudan in 2011.
The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam poses a serious threat to the already unstable peace agreement in South Sudan. The concurrent accusations and violence underscore the fragile nature of the political environment. Continued escalation could severely undermine the 2018 agreement designed to foster stability after years of civil strife, warranting urgent attention from international observers and peacekeeping entities.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
