South Sudanese soldiers have surrounded Vice President Riek Machar’s residence following the arrest of his allies amidst escalating tensions with President Salva Kiir. The deputy army chief loyal to Machar was detained, raising fears about the stability of the peace deal established in 2018. Calls for de-escalation grow, highlighting the risks of renewed conflict in the region.
On Wednesday, South Sudanese soldiers encircled the residence of Vice President Riek Machar in the capital, Juba, amid the detention of several of his allies. This escalation followed an assault on an army base in the northern region by an armed faction allied with Machar. The ongoing political rivalry between Machar and President Salva Kiir, which previously led to civil war, remains a significant concern.
Machar has expressed fears regarding the termination of key allies from government positions, suggesting that this could jeopardize the fragile peace agreement established in 2018. This deal was instrumental in bringing an end to a brutal five-year conflict that resulted in over 400,000 deaths.
General Gabriel Duop Lam, the deputy army chief loyal to Machar, was apprehended on Tuesday as a result of the skirmishes. On Wednesday, additional arrests were made, including that of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, his bodyguards, and family, although specific reasons for these detentions remain unclear.
Neither Vice President Machar nor his party, the SPLM-IO, have issued any statements regarding the northern confrontations. However, Party spokesperson and Water Minister Pal Mai Deng expressed concerns that Lam’s arrest poses a significant threat to the peace agreement.
In response to the rising tensions, Western diplomats have urged South Sudan’s leaders to seek peaceful solutions. Ter Manyang Gatwich, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, has called for the immediate release of detainees to prevent the situation from escalating into further conflict.
The situation in South Sudan is becoming increasingly precarious as the army surrounds Vice President Riek Machar’s home and key allies face arrest. The ongoing political tensions pose a serious threat to the peace established in 2018. Immediate action is needed from the international community and local leaders to safeguard the hard-won peace and prevent a return to widespread violence.
Original Source: kstp.com
