The arrest of Gabriel Doup Lam and Puot Kang Chol in South Sudan has raised fears about the stability of the peace deal that ended the civil war. Both figures are close to Vice-President Riek Machar, and their detentions have heightened tensions within the country. Calls for international intervention have emerged as violence once again threatens the fragile peace established in 2018.
In South Sudan, the recent arrest of oil minister Gabriel Doup Lam and army general Puot Kang Chol, both high-ranking members of the main opposition, has raised alarms regarding the stability of the peace agreement that concluded the civil war. Both individuals are close associates of Vice-President Riek Machar, who has long been a rival of President Salva Kiir. The government’s failure to provide any explanation for their arrests has added to the growing concerns over the country’s political situation.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but civil unrest erupted just two years later following a split between Machar and Kiir. Five years of conflict resulted in significant loss of life, displacement, and ultimately a peace agreement in 2018. However, the implementation of this accord has been problematic, and the recent detentions are seen as potentially jeopardizing the fragile peace.
Despite the turmoil, President Kiir has asserted that the country will not return to conflict, with his spokesperson communicating this stance to Reuters. General Lam was taken into custody while overseeing the military branch of the opposition, which remains unintegrated into the national army, while Chol was reportedly detained overnight. Concerns intensified as military officials affiliated with Machar faced house arrests, signaling escalating tensions.
Machar’s spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng, criticized the arrests as a breach of the peace accord, warning that such actions could jeopardize the entire agreement and urging international intervention. These developments coincided with reports of the White Army militia capturing a strategic town, indicative of rising violence that may further destabilize the region.
The United Nations and African Union have issued warnings regarding the potential for violence to escalate. Ter Manyang, leader of the Juba-based Center for Peace and Advocacy, underscored the need for effective management of the situation by national leadership to avert further catastrophe. As the country anticipates elections in 2026, the political climate remains precarious without a history of successful electoral practice.
The recent arrests of Gabriel Doup Lam and Puot Kang Chol in South Sudan underscore significant concerns regarding the stability of the peace agreement that concluded years of civil war. With rising tensions and warnings from both local and international observers, the future of peace in South Sudan appears increasingly uncertain. The situation necessitates careful management and potential intervention from the international community to maintain peace and prevent a return to conflict.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
