Peace Agreement in South Sudan at Risk Due to Recent Arrests Linked to Vice President Machar

The peace agreement in South Sudan is jeopardized by the arrest of military officer Lt. Gen. Gabriel Doup Lam and Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, both connected to Vice President Riek Machar. These actions threaten the Joint Defence Board’s operations and exacerbate existing political tensions, undermining the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict.

Recent developments in South Sudan indicate a significant risk to the ongoing peace agreement, following the arrest of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, a prominent military officer affiliated with First Vice President Riek Machar. Moreover, Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, who has held his position since 2020 under the terms of the power-sharing agreement, has also been taken into custody, reportedly at a military intelligence detention center. Alongside the arrests, family members and bodyguards of the minister faced detention, with personal devices seized.

A spokesman for Machar asserted, “This action violates the peace agreement and paralyzes the Joint Defence Board, which oversees the command and control of all forces. These measures erode trust between the parties.” These arrests unfold against a backdrop of ongoing political and security instability in South Sudan, where violence among competing factions remains prevalent despite the peace agreement signed in 2018, intended to end the civil conflict that has devastated the nation.

The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), enacted in 2018, encounters persistent delays and hurdles, particularly regarding the integration of various armed groups to establish a cohesive national army. This ongoing situation highlights the fragility of peace efforts in South Sudan, reflecting the historical challenges since the onset of the civil war in December 2013, which resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities and led to widespread displacement and economic disarray.

The arrests of key figures linked to Vice President Riek Machar pose a serious threat to the fragile peace agreement in South Sudan. This escalating situation reflects deeper political and security challenges that continue to undermine stability in the country, raising concerns about the future of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. Overall, these developments illustrate the need for renewed commitment to peace and trust-building initiatives among the involved parties.

Original Source: www.fides.org