South Sudan General’s Arrest Threatens Fragile Peace Deal

The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, deputy head of South Sudan’s armed forces, has raised concerns about the stability of the nation’s fragile peace deal. His detention follows unrest attributed to conflicts in Upper Nile state. Officials criticize the arrest as a breach of the 2018 power-sharing agreement, amid reports of escalating violence identified by the United Nations.

The recent arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, deputy head of South Sudan’s armed forces, has raised alarms regarding the fragile peace agreement in the country. His detention, confirmed by Vice-President Riek Machar’s spokesperson, follows a series of clashes in Upper Nile state. The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), aligned with President Salva Kiir, accuse Duop Lam of collaborating with local rebels, many of whom share the Nuer ethnic background with Machar.

Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson for Machar, denounced the arrest as a violation of the 2018 power-sharing agreement, which aimed to resolve the brutal five-year civil war in South Sudan. His comments highlight the precarious nature of the political landscape, as the government’s actions threaten the tenuous peace established after significant conflict.

In a related context, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has reported an alarming increase in violence, particularly in Upper Nile state. Armed confrontations have been noted between the military and local youth, leading to considerable civilian and military casualties amidst the use of heavy weaponry. These incidents further underscore the challenges to stability in this post-conflict nation.

The 2018 peace deal was originally intended to ameliorate the ongoing civil strife fueled by the rivalry between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. Despite its intentions, South Sudan continues to grapple with severe tensions and widespread violence since it attained independence from Sudan in 2011, with the civil war having claimed approximately 400,000 lives.

The recent developments in South Sudan, particularly the arrest of General Duop Lam and the subsequent military actions, pose significant threats to the already fragile peace agreement established in 2018. The situation in Upper Nile state indicates escalating violence and ongoing instability, reminding observers of the delicate balance needed to maintain peace in a nation still healing from the wounds of civil war.

Original Source: newscentral.africa