Escalating Tensions in Juba Following Arrest of SPLA-IO Officers
Tensions have escalated in South Sudan’s Juba following the arrest of four senior SPLM-IO military officers. The detentions, linked to recent clashes in Nasir County, have raised concerns about the stability of the peace process. Community relations remain strained due to longstanding issues between armed forces and residents, prompting calls for the officers’ release to preserve peace.
Recent events in Juba, South Sudan, have seen a notable escalation of tensions following the arrest of four senior military officers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) at the army headquarters. A senior party member, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed the detainment of these officers, including Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam and Lt Gen Wesley Welebe, linking their arrests to recent altercations between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and armed youth in Nasir County.
The situation in Juba has been characterized as “tense” despite a high-level SPLM-IO meeting conducted on Monday, intended to address ongoing conflicts in Nasir and its surrounding areas. The official also pointed to broader tensions within regions that accommodate SPLM-IO forces, such as Abyei, Twic, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, and Nasir. He noted that the stationed forces in these areas have remained static for over a decade, fostering strained relations between the local populace and the armed personnel.
Furthermore, there are persistent conflicts between residents and military forces, with hostilities reported in residential areas. The official described a lack of unified military forces as a significant contributing factor to these tensions.
In light of the recent arrests, Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, urged President Salva Kiir to release the detained officers, citing this action as a potential threat to the fragile peace within South Sudan. He explained, “The Centre for Peace and Advocacy appeals to the President of the Republic and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Salva Kiir Mayardit, to release Gen Duop Lam.”
Gatwech also associated these arrests with the recent capture of Nasir by the White Army, a youth militia group, warning that further escalation could jeopardize South Sudan’s international standing. He emphasized the need for national focus on development instead: “People are tired of war; we need to talk about development.”
The arrests signify a pivotal moment in the ongoing peace process in South Sudan, with rising apprehensions surrounding the potential deterioration of stability if the situation remains unaddressed.
The recent arrests of four high-ranking SPLM-IO military officers in Juba exacerbate existing tensions in South Sudan. The situation poses a risk to the fragile peace in the region, and immediate action is urged to prevent further deterioration. Community relations remain strained due to static military deployments and ongoing conflicts, underlining the urgent need for development and resolution of hostilities.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
