Arrests of South Sudan Officials Heighten Political Tensions Amidst Ongoing Violence
On March 5, 2025, South Sudan’s Petroleum Minister and a general were arrested amidst fears of a coup targeting a faction of the power-sharing government. The SSPDF accused the general of collaboration with ethnic rebels amidst a backdrop of escalating violence. The arrests raise significant concerns regarding the fragile peace established after years of civil war and ongoing political instability in the nation.
On March 5, 2025, several high-ranking officials, including South Sudan’s Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, were arrested amid concerning signs of a potential coup targeting a faction within the power-sharing government. This operation was reportedly conducted by the National Security Service personnel, with Minister Chol being detained at his residence in Juba, along with family members and bodyguards.
The arrests occurred shortly after troops from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), loyal to President Salva Kiir, apprehended General Lam and surrounded Vice President Riek Machar’s residence. Machar’s spokesperson expressed deep concern regarding this violation of the 2018 power-sharing agreement, which marked the end of five years of civil conflict, stating, “This act puts the entire agreement at risk.”
While no official justification for the arrests has been provided, observers suggest they may relate to recent violence involving ethnic Nuer rebels in Upper Nile state. The SSPDF accused General Lam, who is also Nuer, of colluding with these rebels. Reports from the UN Mission in South Sudan indicated increased hostilities and civilian casualties in the area attributed to escalating conflict between the army and armed youth.
South Sudan has struggled with violence since civil war erupted in December 2013 due to political disputes between leaders Kiir and Machar. This conflict has resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths and displacements of over 2.5 million people, leading to widespread starvation among the population. Although a peace agreement was reached in 2018, implementation remains incomplete, leaving the nation in a precarious state with postponed elections and ongoing poverty.
In response to the recent arrests, President Kiir, representing the Dinka ethnic group, assured that South Sudan would “not go back to war,” as articulated by a government spokesperson.
The arrests of key government officials in South Sudan signify heightened tensions within the frail power-sharing government. Continued violence, particularly in Upper Nile state, exacerbates the country’s instability, further threatening the precarious peace established after years of civil war. The political landscape remains volatile as South Sudan grapples with its tumultuous history and the need for a sustainable resolution.
Original Source: www.dw.com
