Tensions in Juba rise following the arrest of four senior SPLM-IO officers, linked to recent clashes in Nasir County. Local tensions in regions hosting SPLA-IO forces have escalated due to longstanding conflicts with residents. Advocacy for the release of the detained officers emphasizes the need for dialogue to maintain peace and stability in South Sudan.
Tensions have intensified in Juba, South Sudan, following the arrest of four high-ranking military officers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) at the army headquarters, as disclosed by a senior party official. The detained officers include Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Deputy Chief of the Defense Forces for Operation, and Lt Gen Wesley Welebe, among others. These arrests relate to recent clashes involving the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and armed youth in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
The unnamed source described the atmosphere as “tense,” despite an SPLM-IO leadership meeting in Juba intended to address the ongoing conflict in Nasir and adjacent areas. The official highlighted escalating tensions in regions housing SPLA-IO forces, specifically Abyei, Twic, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, and Nasir, indicating that the persistent deployment of forces there for over a decade has contributed to strained relations between local residents and armed personnel.
The official indicated, “There are conflicts and problems between the residents and the forces. Sometimes, they fight at home.” The lack of unity among the armed forces compounds these issues, obstructing efforts toward a cohesive resolution. In light of these developments, Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, urged President Salva Kiir to free the detained officers, asserting that their continued imprisonment jeopardizes the already fragile peace within the country.
Gatwech articulated to Radio Tamazuj, “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.” He linked the arrests to the capture of Nasir by the youth militia known as the White Army and cautioned that unaddressed tensions might further tarnish South Sudan’s international standing.
Adding gravitas to the situation, Gatwech remarked, “People are tired of war; we need to talk about development. People cannot go on doing bad things always.” The backdrop of these arrests feeds into broader concerns regarding South Sudan’s peace process stability, emphasizing the urgent need for effective resolution to prevent escalation.
In conclusion, recent arrests of senior SPLM-IO military officers in Juba have escalated tensions within South Sudan, mirroring ongoing conflicts in various regions. The situation emphasizes the profound challenges faced in reconciling local relations and maintaining peace. Calls from key figures, including Ter Manyang Gatwech, underline the urgent need for dialogue and resolution to foster stability and advance developmental discussions instead of conflict.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
