The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, South Sudan’s deputy armed forces chief, raises alarms about the 2018 peace deal. Accused of colluding with rebels, Lam’s detention by the SSPDF highlights ongoing tensions between military factions. This incident follows reports of heavy violence in Upper Nile state, exacerbating concerns over the fragile stability of the nation post-civil war.
The recent arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, deputy head of South Sudan’s armed forces, presents a significant threat to the precarious peace deal established in 2018. This action, taken by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) supporting President Salva Kiir, follows reports of conflicts in Upper Nile state, indicating a potential breakdown in order. Furthermore, the SSPDF has accused General Lam and his forces of collaborating with rebels, many of whom share ethnicity with Vice-President Riek Machar.
Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson for Machar, has openly condemned the arrest, arguing that it contravenes the power-sharing agreement designed to foster peace after a devastating civil war. The ongoing unrest highlights the fragility of the current political landscape, where clashing allegiances jeopardize the hard-won stability of the nation.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan recently noted an increase in violence, particularly in Upper Nile state, where clashes involving heavy weaponry have resulted in both civilian and military casualties. These developments reiterate the ongoing challenges that South Sudan faces, even after a peace accord aimed at quelling the power struggle between Kiir and Machar, which resulted in an estimated 400,000 deaths during the civil war. The country, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011, continues to grapple with deep-seated tensions and violence.
The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam has reignited fears about the stability of South Sudan’s peace agreement, highlighting the intricate and often volatile relationships within its power dynamics. The violation of the 2018 power-sharing agreement threatens to worsen the conflict, as the nation remains in turmoil from previous civil strife. Continued international oversight and mediation efforts are essential to prevent a resurgence of violence that could devastate millions once again.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
