South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar is surrounded by soldiers as his allies are arrested after an armed faction captured an army base. Concerns about the jeopardization of the 2018 peace accord have arisen, alongside calls for de-escalation from Western envoys and local advocates. The country has yet to fully implement the peace agreement.
On Wednesday, South Sudanese soldiers cordoned off Vice President Riek Machar’s residence in Juba, coinciding with the arrest of several associates following a violent incident involving an armed faction linked to him that took control of a military base in northern South Sudan.
Machar, previously in conflict with President Salva Kiir, expressed concern last month that the dismissal of his allies from governmental roles could jeopardize the peace accord established in 2018, which concluded a devastating civil war resulting in over 400,000 fatalities.
Among those arrested was Deputy Army Chief Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, who is a supporter of Machar, detained on Tuesday in relation to the northern conflict. Additionally, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol was arrested on Wednesday, along with his bodyguards and family, with no explanation provided for these actions.
While neither Machar nor the SPLM-IO party has publicly addressed the conflict, Water Minister Pal Mai Deng, serving as the party’s spokesman, noted that Lam’s arrest poses a significant risk to the existing peace agreement.
Western diplomatic representatives have urged the nation’s leaders to ease tensions. Ter Manyang Gatwich, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, has called for the urgent release of those detained to prevent further violence, warning of a potential escalation to full-scale warfare. The implementation of the 2018 peace agreement remains incomplete, with elections scheduled for last year delayed by a two-year extension due to financial shortfalls.
The situation in South Sudan indicates escalating tensions surrounding Vice President Riek Machar, following the arrest of his allies and the military’s actions surrounding his residence. The potential threat to the 2018 peace agreement, emphasized by various officials, underscores the fragility of the current political climate. Observers advocate for the immediate release of detained individuals to prevent further violence, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggle with political and economic instability.
Original Source: apnews.com
