South Sudan’s military recently arrested General Gabriel Duop Lam, deputy head of the armed forces, raising alarm over the fragile peace deal established in 2018. Accused of collaborating with rebels, Lambert’s arrest has provoked condemnation from Vice-President Riek Machar’s spokesperson, citing violations of the power-sharing agreement. Escalating violence in Upper Nile state poses challenges to stability and undermines efforts to end years of civil conflict.
A recent arrest within South Sudan’s military has intensified concerns regarding the stability of the nation’s fragile peace agreement. General Gabriel Duop Lam, deputy head of the armed forces and a crucial ally of Vice-President Riek Machar, was detained after clashes in Upper Nile state. Accusations from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) against Duop Lam and his troops claim collaboration with regional rebels, predominantly of the Nuer ethnic group, which includes Machar.
Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson for Machar, has strongly condemned the arrest, emphasizing that it infringes upon the 2018 power-sharing agreement that sought to resolve South Sudan’s devastating five-year civil war. Tensions have escalated with a recent report from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan indicating increased violence in Upper Nile state, marked by clashes between the army and armed youth in Nassir. These confrontations involved heavy weaponry and have led to both civilian and military casualties.
The 2018 peace deal was intended to put an end to a civil war rooted in the rivalry between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar, a conflict that has claimed approximately 400,000 lives. Despite these efforts, instability remains a significant challenge, and violence continues to pervade South Sudan, which has been an independent nation since 2011.
In conclusion, the arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam poses a significant threat to the fragile peace established by the 2018 power-sharing agreement in South Sudan. This incident, reflecting ongoing ethnic tensions and violence, raises serious concerns about future stability in the region. As the tensions between supporters of President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar persist, the international community must closely monitor developments to safeguard peace efforts and civilian safety.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
