South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar’s home was surrounded by soldiers, and his allies were arrested after an armed faction allied to him seized an army base. The situation raises concerns about the stability of the 2018 peace agreement. Calls for de-escalation and the release of detainees have emerged in response to rising tensions.
On Wednesday, South Sudanese soldiers encircled Vice President Riek Machar’s residence in Juba, the nation’s capital, and apprehended several of his associates following an armed faction allied with him taking over an army base in northern South Sudan. This escalation is alarming given the history of bitter rivalry between Machar and President Salva Kiir, which previously erupted into a devastating civil war.
Machar highlighted last month that the dismissal of several key allies from government roles jeopardized the 2018 peace accord that concluded a five-year civil conflict, resulting in over 400,000 fatalities. Among the detained is Deputy Army Chief Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, who was taken into custody due to the recent clashes, as well as Machar’s ally, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, who was arrested along with his security team and family, with no explanations provided for these actions.
Although Machar and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) have not publicly addressed the recent violence, Water Minister Pal Mai Deng, the party’s spokesperson, stated that Lam’s arrest endangers the entire peace agreement. In light of rising tensions, Western diplomats have implored leaders to engage in de-escalation.
Ter Manyang Gatwich, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, has advocated for the swift release of detained individuals to prevent an escalation into what he termed a potential “full-scale war.” South Sudan has yet to fully enact the 2018 peace agreement, and elections planned for the previous year have been postponed for two years due to financial constraints.
The situation in South Sudan is precarious as tensions rise following the arrest of Vice President Riek Machar’s allies and the encirclement of his residence. The past rivalry between Machar and President Salva Kiir plays a significant role in the current unrest, which jeopardizes the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement. Immediate resolution and the release of detained individuals are crucial to preventing further violence and ensuring political stability in the region.
Original Source: kstp.com
