The peace agreement in South Sudan is jeopardized by the arrest of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam and Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, both associated with Vice President Riek Machar. These actions violate the peace terms and escalate existing tensions, leading to concerns about the stability of the country.
The peace agreement in South Sudan faces significant jeopardy due to the recent arrest of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, a high-ranking military officer affiliated with First Vice President Riek Machar. Additionally, Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, also close to Machar and part of the power-sharing framework established in 2018, has been detained. Reports indicate that his relatives and bodyguards have also been taken into custody, with their communication devices confiscated.
According to a spokesperson for Machar, the conduct of the government violates the peace agreement and undermines the Joint Defence Board’s effectiveness, which is responsible for the oversight of military command and control. This development exacerbates existing political and security tensions in South Sudan, where violence between rival factions persists despite the 2018 peace treaty intended to end the civil war that erupted in December 2013.
The clashes between the factions of President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar have resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities and have displaced millions, leaving South Sudan in dire economic and social circumstances. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) has encountered numerous delays, particularly in the unification of armed groups necessary for forming a national army.
In conclusion, the recent arrests of key figures linked to Vice President Machar pose a severe threat to the fragile peace agreement in South Sudan. As tensions escalate, it is imperative for all parties involved to adhere to the stipulations of the peace agreement to prevent a resurgence of violence and further instability in the region.
Original Source: www.fides.org
