The arrest of Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam and other senior SPLM-IO figures is viewed by opposition members as a significant violation of the peace agreement ending South Sudan’s civil war. Government officials assert the arrests were lawful, while concerns are growing over potential escalation of violence, particularly amidst ongoing clashes involving the White Army militia. The political landscape remains volatile as South Sudan approaches planned elections in 2026.
The recent arrest of Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, a senior official from South Sudan’s main opposition party, has been labeled a serious breach of the peace agreement that concluded a prolonged civil war, according to an opposition spokesperson. Gen. Lam was apprehended alongside other leaders from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), all of whom are associated with Vice-President Riek Machar.
Machar’s spokesperson expressed concern regarding the lack of information about the detentions, emphasizing the importance of political commitment among peace partners to prevent a resurgence of conflict. Despite these worries, President Salva Kiir has asserted that South Sudan will not revert to war, as stated by government spokesperson Michael Makuei.
South Sudan, which became independent from Sudan in 2011, experienced civil unrest just two years later due to a power struggle between Kiir and Machar. Although a peace agreement was reached in 2018 following five years of violence resulting in significant casualties and displacement, tensions persist. Gen. Lam leads the military faction of the SPLM-IO, which has not yet been incorporated into the national army.
The recent arrests of Lam and other officials come amid reports of conflicts in Upper Nile state, where the White Army militia has clashed with government forces. Accusations concerning Machar’s allies supporting the rebels have also emerged. Machar’s spokesperson remarked that the ongoing violence could have been prevented had national army leaders adhered to the peace pact.
Concern is mounting among international organizations, such as the UN and the African Union, regarding the potential escalation of violence in South Sudan. Analysts warn that the deteriorating security situation may endanger the fragile peace agreement, urging top leadership to manage the conflict effectively.
The arrests of key opposition figures in South Sudan have sparked significant concern among officials and international observers, as this development threatens the delicate peace established after years of civil war. As tensions rise with ongoing clashes between militias and government forces, the imperative for political commitment and adherence to the peace deal remains crucial to preventing a return to violence. With elections on the horizon, the stability of South Sudan hangs in the balance.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
