Arrests of South Sudan Leaders Signal Threat to Peace Agreement

The arrests of South Sudan’s oil minister, Puot Kang Chol, and General Gabriel Duop Lam threaten the fragile peace deal between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. Tensions escalated in Juba with heavy military presence surrounding Machar’s residence following allegations of rebellion support related to unrest in Upper Nile. Increased fighting reported by the UN further complicates the ongoing crisis in a nation struggling with poverty and violence since its independence.

The recent arrests of South Sudan’s oil minister and deputy head of the armed forces have heightened concerns regarding the stability of the country’s fragile peace agreement. General Gabriel Duop Lam, an ally of Vice-President Riek Machar, was apprehended on allegations of collaborating with rebels in Upper Nile state. This situation has escalated tensions in the capital, Juba, where Machar’s residence has been surrounded by troops from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, loyal to President Salva Kiir.

The hostile relationship between Presidents Kiir and Machar previously fueled a civil war from 2013 to 2018, resulting in approximately 400,000 fatalities. Although a power-sharing deal was established to conclude the conflict, significant elements, such as elections, have been persistently postponed. Pal Mai Deng, Machar’s spokesman, emphasized that General Lam’s arrest constitutes a violation of the peace agreement, jeopardizing the fragile accord.

The apprehension of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol was reportedly executed by members of the National Security Service, raising further alarm among Machar’s supporters. Deng expressed serious concerns regarding the heavy military presence surrounding Machar’s home, which contributes to the ongoing instability. Recent tensions are linked to rising unrest in Upper Nile state, where Duop Lam and his forces are accused of associating with the White Army rebels from the Nuer ethnic group.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has documented escalating confrontations between the army and armed youths in Upper Nile, employing heavy weaponry that has led to civilian casualties. Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has struggled with widespread poverty and violence, with implications for the international community to address this persistent crisis.

The recent arrests of key government officials in South Sudan have sparked fears of destabilizing the already fragile peace accord. The accusations against General Lam and subsequent apprehension of Minister Chol highlight deep-seated rivalries and potential civil conflict. With both a humanitarian and political crises ongoing, the international community remains watchful of South Sudan’s volatile situation, striving to support peaceful resolutions and restore stability.

Original Source: www.newagebd.net