General Gabriel Duop Lam’s arrest by South Sudan’s military raises alarm over the stability of the peace deal, with the involvement of Vice-President Riek Machar prompting concerns. Accusations of collaboration with rebels and recent violence highlight ongoing tensions despite the 2018 power-sharing agreement that ended a devastating civil war, exacerbating the already fragile situation in South Sudan.
The military of South Sudan has apprehended General Gabriel Duop Lam, the deputy head of the armed forces, prompting concerns regarding the stability of the nation’s fragile peace agreement. This action occurred simultaneously with military forces surrounding Vice-President Riek Machar’s residence, as reported by Machar’s spokesperson.
General Lam, an essential ally of Machar, was detained following a series of violent confrontations in Upper Nile state. The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), which support President Salva Kiir, accused Lam and his troops of allegedly colluding with rebels, many of whom are from the Nuer ethnic group, the same as Machar.
Machar’s spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng, has expressed condemnation of this arrest, asserting that it constitutes a breach of the 2018 power-sharing agreement that concluded South Sudan’s tumultuous five-year civil war.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has recently highlighted an uptick in violence within Upper Nile state, particularly clashes between armed youth and the military in the Nassir region, marked by the use of heavy weaponry and leading to both civilian and military casualties.
The 2018 peace accord aimed to resolve a civil war that arose from the power struggle between Kiir and Machar, resulting in the loss of approximately 400,000 lives. Despite the peace deal, tensions continue to persist, and violence remains pervasive in South Sudan, a nation that achieved independence from Sudan in 2011.
The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam poses significant threats to the already fragile peace agreement in South Sudan, highlighting ongoing tensions between military factions. Machar’s condemnation of the arrest underscores the fragility of the existing power-sharing arrangement. The recent escalation of violence reported by the United Nations further signifies the challenges that persist despite previous efforts to establish lasting peace in the country.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
