Security forces arrested prominent opposition leaders Gen. Gabriel Doup Lam and Puot Kang Chol in South Sudan, raising alarms about the peace deal that halted civil war. Despite the government claiming not to revert to war, tensions have escalated, with further military officials under house arrest. The situation threatens stability in the region as the international community is urged to intervene.
Recent arrests of high-ranking officials in South Sudan have instigated fears regarding the stability of the peace agreement that concluded the country’s civil war. Security forces detained General Gabriel Doup Lam, the oil minister, and Puot Kang Chol, both influential members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and associates of Vice-President Riek Machar, a rival to President Salva Kiir.
The government has yet to reveal the reasons for their arrests, as confirmed by SPLA-IO spokesperson Colonel Lam Gabriel Paul. South Sudan, having achieved independence in 2011, descended into civil conflict two years later following conflicts between Machar and Kiir. Despite a peace arrangement in 2018, issues have persisted.
Amidst rising tensions, President Kiir has reassured that South Sudan will not revert to war, according to his spokesperson. General Lam was arrested on Tuesday, while Chol was taken by security personnel late at night. Additional military officials allied with Machar are reportedly under house arrest.
The current situation jeopardizes the peace agreement, as described by Machar’s spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng, who stated that the arrest of General Lam contravenes the terms of the peace accord. He appealed to the international community for intervention. These arrests coincide with reports of the White Army militia seizing a key town in Upper Nile state after engagements with government troops.
The White Army allied with Machar during the civil war, and factions loyal to Kiir have accused Machar’s supporters of aiding the rebels. Both the UN and the African Union expressed concerns that growing violence might escalate further. Ter Manyang of the Center for Peace and Advocacy indicated that failure to manage the escalating tensions could result in a return to war.
In conclusion, the recent detentions of opposition leaders in South Sudan have raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of the country’s peace agreement, originally implemented to foster stability following a protracted civil war. With mounting tensions and potential violence, the international community’s role may prove vital to maintaining peace. The upcoming elections, delayed until 2026, add urgency to the need for resolving these conflicts in a manner conducive to national stability.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
