The peace agreement in South Sudan is endangered after the arrests of key figures linked to Vice President Riek Machar, including Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam and Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol. These developments raise concerns about trust among parties and the functioning of the Joint Defence Board amidst ongoing political and security tensions in the country, which still suffers from the repercussions of civil war. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan faces critical delays in its implementation.
In South Sudan, the peace agreement faces jeopardy following the recent arrest of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, a senior military figure associated with First Vice President Riek Machar. The military has also surrounded Machar’s residence. Additionally, Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, associated with Machar and part of the power-sharing framework since 2020, is reportedly detained in a military intelligence facility. Immediate family members and bodyguards of the minister have also been taken into custody, with personal electronics seized.
A spokesperson for Vice President Machar declared, “This action violates the peace agreement and paralyzes the Joint Defence Board, which oversees the command and control of all forces. These measures erode trust between the parties,” highlighting the escalating tensions in a nation still grappling with violence from intra-factional conflicts. Since the 2018 peace deal aimed to conclude the civil strife that began in late 2013, South Sudan has suffered from continued clashes between groups aligned with President Salva Kiir and Machar, resulting in extensive casualties, displacements, and profound socio-economic challenges.
The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), established in 2018, has seen numerous delays, particularly concerning the unification of armed factions into a cohesive national military structure. The ongoing arrests and violence threaten the already fragile peaceprocess, underscoring the need for renewed efforts to stabilize the region and restore trust among the involved parties.
The recent arrests of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam and Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, both closely linked to Vice President Riek Machar, pose significant risks to the South Sudan peace agreement established in 2018. These actions threaten the operational effectiveness of the Joint Defence Board and exacerbate already existing tensions, undermining trust. The precarious state of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan highlights the urgent need to redefine peace-building initiatives and reinforce cooperation among factions.
Original Source: www.fides.org
