South Sudan’s Vice President’s Spokesman Alerts on Military Arrest that Threatens Peace Agreement
South Sudan’s forces have arrested military deputy Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, raising concerns about the stability of a peace deal with First Vice President Riek Machar. The military’s actions threaten to undermine the agreements that ended a five-year civil war, during which time much of the population suffered significant hardship. The motivations behind the arrest remain unexplained, exacerbating tensions within the government.
The recent detention of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, a senior military official aligned with South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar, has raised concerns regarding the sustainability of the peace agreement that ended the brutal civil war in 2018. The arrest was executed by General Paul Nang, accompanied by a significant military deployment around Machar’s residence, according to statements made by Machar’s spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng. This situation highlights the ongoing instability in a country ostensibly at peace since the resolution of its five-year conflict, which had devastating consequences for its population.
Machar’s spokesperson condemned the arrest, stating it “violates the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan” and that it undermines the Joint Defence Board, an essential body for military command and control established under the agreement. Deng expressed grave concerns regarding the heavy military presence around Machar’s residence, which he asserted diminishes trust among the various parties involved in the peace process. The motives behind Lam’s arrest remain unclear, as no official reasoning has been provided.
The South Sudanese military spokesperson, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, refrained from commenting on either the arrest or the troop movement surrounding Machar. Additionally, Information Minister Michael Makuei did not respond to inquiries regarding the situation. South Sudan’s civil war, which erupted in December 2013 following a power struggle between Machar and President Salva Kiir, resulted in substantial loss of life and displacement, emphasizing the fragility of peace in the region. An estimated 400,000 individuals lost their lives, while over 2.5 million people were forced to flee their homes.
The arrest of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam and the subsequent military deployments around Riek Machar’s residence pose significant threats to the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement in South Sudan. Without clarification on the reasons for Lam’s arrest and with heightened military tensions, the potential for conflict resurfaces, jeopardizing years of efforts towards stability in the nation. It is crucial for all parties to uphold the peace agreement to ensure the safety and security of the South Sudanese people.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
