The South Sudanese government has arrested key allies of First Vice President Riek Machar, including the Deputy Army Chief and Petroleum Minister, amidst heavy military presence around Machar’s home. This development threatens the 2018 peace agreement and raises concerns about escalating violence in the country.
South Sudanese authorities have arrested key allies of First Vice President Riek Machar, raising concerns regarding stability and the 2018 peace agreement. The arrests include Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, along with their family members and bodyguards, amidst increased military presence outside Machar’s residence in Juba.
The specific motives behind these arrests remain unclear, though they come in the wake of an armed group linked to Machar taking control of an army base in Upper Nile State. Machar has previously warned that the firings of his allies jeopardize the fragile peace established in 2018, which ended a devastating civil war.
Pal Mai Deng, Water Minister and spokesperson for Machar’s SPLM-IO party, expressed deep concern over the implications of these arrests, indicating that they threaten both the peace agreement and the key Joint Defence Board—a critical institution for military command and control. He emphasized that such actions erode trust among political factions.
In addition, Puok Both Baluang, another SPLM-IO spokesperson, stated that other senior military officials loyal to Machar have been subjected to house arrest without further explanation. The South Sudan army spokesperson, Major-General Lul Ruai Koang, declined to comment on the ongoing situation at Machar’s residence.
The tensions in South Sudan appear driven by growing unrest, particularly in Upper Nile. The SSPDF alleges that Lam and his troops are collaborating with White Army rebels from the Nuer community. Significant clashes have escalated in the region, with the UN reporting civilian casualties due to heavy weaponry used in fighting.
South Sudan’s civil war, which erupted in 2013 after President Salva Kiir dismissed Machar, has displaced over 2.5 million people and worsened the country’s humanitarian crisis, leaving nearly half the population struggling to meet basic needs. Ter Manyang Gatwich, executive director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, has called for the immediate release of those arrested to prevent further violence and potential warfare in the nation.
The recent arrests of key allies of Riek Machar in South Sudan signify a troubling escalation in political tensions that threaten the fragile peace established in 2018. With military actions surrounding Machar’s residence and the potential for broader conflict, international observers and local leaders alike emphasize the urgent need for dialogue and restoration of peace to avoid returning to large-scale violence.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
