The arrest of South Sudan’s General Gabriel Duop Lam has raised concerns over the fragile peace agreement, as it threatens the power balance established in the 2018 accord. The incident follows clashes in Upper Nile state, highlighting persistent violence in the country. The United Nations has reported increased conflict, underscoring the unresolved tensions since the civil war’s conclusion.
The recent arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, deputy head of South Sudan’s armed forces, has raised significant concerns regarding the stability of the nation’s fragile peace agreement. Following clashes in Upper Nile state, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) detained General Lam, accusing him of collaborating with local rebels, many of whom belong to the Nuer ethnic group, associated with Vice-President Riek Machar.
Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson for Machar, strongly condemned the arrest, characterizing it as a violation of the 2018 power-sharing agreement that successfully concluded South Sudan’s devastating five-year civil war. Deng’s remarks underscore the precarious balance of power that the peace deal sought to establish amid ongoing tensions within the government.
Recent reports by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan have indicated a troubling escalation of violence, particularly in Upper Nile state, where clashes involving heavy weaponry have resulted in both civilian and military casualties. Such developments highlight the ongoing instability within the country, exacerbating fears of a potential resurgence of widespread conflict.
The 2018 peace accord was designed to resolve a civil war that led to the tragic loss of approximately 400,000 lives, stemming primarily from the rivalry between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. Despite these efforts, persistent tensions and pervasive violence continue to plague the nation, which achieved independence from Sudan in 2011, raising critical questions about the future of peace in South Sudan.
The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam poses a serious threat to South Sudan’s fragile peace agreement, amplifying fears of renewed conflict. Condemnation from Machar’s spokesperson reflects the ongoing tensions surrounding the existing power-sharing arrangement. Escalating violence in Upper Nile state demonstrates the challenges that remain in stabilizing the nation, which continues to grapple with the legacies of civil war and ethnic divisions. The situation warrants close monitoring to avert further deterioration of peace.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
