The SPLM-IO has expressed concern over the heavy security presence around First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar’s residence. This increase in military deployment follows the arrest of Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam and threatens the fragile peace process established by the 2018 revitalized agreement. Calls for de-escalation and release of detained officials have been made amidst rising tensions across the country.
The South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) is alarmed by the heavy presence of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) surrounding the residence of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, a pivotal player in the delicate peace agreement of the nation. This situation has arisen in the context of the already troubled 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), particularly amid difficulties in uniting armed factions into a national army.
President Salva Kiir governs the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), while Dr. Machar leads the SPLM-IO, which serves as the principal opposition group. Recently, there has been an intensified security presence around Machar’s residence, which follows the arrest of high-ranking official Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, who holds multiple significant positions including Co-Chair of the Joint Defence Board (JDB).
The SPLM-IO, through its spokesperson Pal Mai Deng, condemned this arrest as a breach of the revitalized agreement, asserting that such actions jeopardize the Joint Defence Board tasked with overseeing military command under the peace pact. Consequently, the SPLM-IO has called for Gen. Lam’s swift release and urged de-escalation of tensions, especially given the unfolding violence in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), confirmed that government forces, including the elite Tiger Division, are imposing a blockade around Dr. Machar’s residence, inciting public concern and threatening the fragile peace process. Eyewitnesses have reported a marked increase in security personnel in the Amarat neighborhood where Machar resides.
Furthermore, an anonymous senior official disclosed that the detained SPLM-IO officers include Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Lt. Gen. Wesley Welebe, and others, and their arrests are reportedly associated with recent armed conflicts between the SSPDF and White Army in Nasir. These developments follow a high-level presidency meeting designed to address intensifying insecurity in several regions of South Sudan, attended by key political figures overseeing various governmental sectors.
The situation surrounding Dr. Riek Machar’s residence highlights significant political and security challenges in South Sudan. The heavy deployment of SSPDF forces raises concerns about the adherence to the revitalized peace agreement and the potential for increased tensions. Continued dialogue and immediate resolution of the recent arrests and security escalations are essential to preserving peace and stability in the nation.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
