Escalating Tensions in South Sudan: Arrests Surrounding Riek Machar’s Allies

In South Sudan, critical allies of Vice President Riek Machar were arrested as military troops surrounded his residence, heightening tensions related to the 2018 peace agreement. The detainees included Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol. Concerns have been raised over the implications for civil stability and trust among political factions following the arrests.

In South Sudan, authorities have detained key allies of First Vice President Riek Machar as military forces surrounded his residence in Juba. Among those arrested are Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, the latter detained alongside his family and bodyguards. These events signal a severe escalation in tensions regarding the fragile peace established by the 2018 accord between Machar and President Salva Kiir, which ended a devastating five-year civil war.

The arrests followed an armed incursion by a group allied to Machar into an army base in Upper Nile state, although no specific reasoning for these detentions has been provided. Machar has previously expressed concerns over the dismissal of his supporters from government positions, warning that such actions jeopardize the existing peace framework. Water Minister Pal Mai Deng emphasized that General Lam’s detention directly threatens the stability of the agreement designed to govern power dynamics and military control in South Sudan.

Deng denounced the arrests, indicating that they damage the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict. He highlighted that the heavy military presence surrounding Machar’s residence diminishes trust among the involved political factions. Furthermore, spokesperson Puok Both Baluang confirmed that additional military officials loyal to Machar have been placed under house arrest, intensifying fears of escalating conflict.

South Sudan’s military spokesman, Major-General Lul Ruai Koang, declined to comment on these developments. The civil war, which erupted in 2013, resulted in significant humanitarian crises, displacing millions and leaving a considerable portion of the population in dire need. Current tensions follow reports of increased hostilities in Upper Nile state, where Lam and his troops are accused of collaborating with local rebel groups, adding strain to the already volatile situation.

Ter Manyang Gatwich, the executive director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, urged for the immediate release of the detained officials to prevent further violence from escalating into a broader conflict. The precarious stability achieved after years of war is threatened, and the international community continues to monitor the developments closely.

The recent arrests of key political and military figures allied with Riek Machar increase tensions in South Sudan and pose a serious risk to the 2018 peace agreement, which has thus far mitigated ongoing conflict. The military’s actions reflect deeper issues of trust and governance in the country, complicating relations between rival factions. There is an urgent need for dialogue and de-escalation to avert further violence and stabilize the region.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com