Army Surrounds South Sudan Vice President’s Home Amid Escalating Tensions
The South Sudanese army has surrounded Vice President Riek Machar’s residence after a faction allied with him attacked an army base. Several of Machar’s allies were arrested, prompting concerns over the stability of the 2018 peace deal with President Salva Kiir. Calls for de-escalation and the release of detainees are intensifying amid fears of renewed conflict.
On Wednesday, South Sudanese soldiers encircled Vice President Riek Machar’s residence in Juba, following the arrest of several associates linked to him. This situation arose after an armed faction supporting Machar seized control of an army base in northern South Sudan. Machar has previously indicated that the recent dismissal of his allies from governmental positions poses a significant threat to the 2018 peace agreement with President Salva Kiir, which concluded a devastating civil war resulting in over 400,000 casualties.
The deputy army chief, General Gabriel Duop Lam, also loyal to Machar, was detained on Tuesday amidst the violence in the north. On Wednesday, Machar’s ally and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, along with his bodyguards and family, were apprehended without explanation. Neither Machar nor the SPLM-IO party has issued a statement regarding the ongoing conflict; however, party spokesperson Water Minister Pal Mai Deng emphasized that Lam’s detention jeopardizes the entire peace accord.
In response to the growing unrest, Western diplomats recently called for leaders to take measures to reduce tensions. Ter Manyang Gatwich, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, stressed the urgent need for the release of the detained individuals to prevent further escalation and potential bloodshed, warning against a descent into a “full-scale war.” South Sudan has yet to fully implement the 2018 peace agreement, with elections that were originally scheduled for last year postponed by two years due to financial constraints.
The situation in South Sudan remains precarious as tensions escalate around Vice President Riek Machar’s home following the arrest of his allies. The threat to the 2018 peace agreement is underscored by General Lam’s detention and calls for immediate release of detainees to avert further violence. Completion of peace measures and upcoming elections remains uncertain as the country grapples with potential unrest.
Original Source: apnews.com
