On March 5, 2025, South Sudan witnessed the arrest of several senior officials, including the Petroleum Minister and a lieutenant general allied to Vice President Riek Machar. This crackdown appears to be connected to ongoing violence involving ethnic Nuer rebels. The arrests threaten the stability of the 2018 power-sharing agreement, raising concerns over potential renewed conflict in the country.
On March 5, 2025, multiple senior officials in South Sudan were arrested, including key members of the SPLM-IO party and a lieutenant general associated with Vice President Riek Machar. Notably, South Sudan’s Petroleum Minister, Puot Kang Chol, was detained at his residence in Juba, along with family members and bodyguards, as reported by the ministry’s press secretary. This action was executed by personnel identified as members of the National Security Service.
This crackdown occurred shortly after the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) apprehended Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam and surrounded Vice President Machar’s residence. Machar’s spokesperson expressed concern, indicating that the arrests undermined the 2018 power-sharing agreement which concluded five years of civil conflict, asserting that “this act puts the entire agreement at risk.”
Though no formal explanation has been provided for the arrests, analysts believe they may be linked to recent violent conflicts in the Upper Nile state, where ethnic Nuer rebels have clashed with government forces. The SSPDF has accused General Duop Lam along with his predominantly Nuer troops of collusion with these rebels.
Additionally, the UN Mission in South Sudan has reported escalated clashes involving armed youth and government forces, resulting in civilian casualties and injuries. Given South Sudan’s tumultuous history, where civil war erupted in December 2013 resulting in numerous casualties and displacements, the stability of the power-sharing government faces significant jeopardy.
Despite the turmoil, President Kiir, who is from the Dinka ethnic group, has publicly declared that South Sudan will “not go back to war,” suggesting a commitment to maintaining peace amid the crisis.
The recent arrest of key political figures in South Sudan raises significant concerns regarding the stability of the already fragile power-sharing government. With a history marred by violence and civil war, the situation remains precarious as the legitimacy of the 2018 peace agreement hangs in the balance. The ongoing tensions highlight the urgent need for dialogue and resolution amid fears of renewed conflict.
Original Source: www.dw.com
