The arrest of opposition General Gabriel Duop Lam in South Sudan raises serious concerns regarding violations of the peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war. The SPLM-IO has reported a lack of communication regarding the detained officials, while government sources justify the arrests. The tense political climate, influenced by militia activity and accusations, threatens the peace process in a nation with a complex history of conflict.
The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, a prominent member of South Sudan’s main opposition party, has been labeled a significant violation of the peace agreement established in 2018 that ended a five-year civil conflict. Lam was apprehended along with other senior officials from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), linked to Vice-President Riek Machar, whose discord with President Salva Kiir ignited the war in 2013.
Amid rising tensions, Machar’s spokesperson expressed concern for the detained officials, stating, “We are doing our best to avoid any escalation… however we need our partners in peace to demonstrate the political will to assure that this country will not go back to war again.” In contrast, President Kiir’s administration maintains that the arrests were necessary due to legal conflicts involving these officials.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, descended into civil war only two years later. Despite extensive loss of life and massive displacement, a tenuous peace agreement was reached in 2018, yet stability remains elusive. General Lam, head of the opposition military wing, was detained on Tuesday, alongside Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, who was arrested during a nighttime raid.
Reports indicate that military personnel loyal to Kiir have accused Machar’s allies of collusion with the White Army militia, which recently seized a strategic town in Upper Nile state. Machar’s spokesperson attributed ongoing violence to the failure of the national army’s leadership to uphold the peace agreement, raising alarms about the potential for renewed conflict. Experts warn that if not effectively managed, the situation could deteriorate further, with potential threats to the fragile peace agreement.
The recent arrests of General Lam and other figures connected to the SPLM-IO highlight significant strains within South Sudan’s fragile peace framework. The ongoing tensions between the opposing factions, amid accusations and escalating violence in areas such as Upper Nile, pose grave risks to national stability, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative efforts to uphold the peace agreement. Without such action, the consequences could lead the nation back into war, endangering the lives of its citizens and hindering progress towards democratic elections scheduled for 2026.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
