The arrest of South Sudanese oil minister Gen. Gabriel Doup Lam and army general Puot Kang Chol has raised fears regarding the stability of the ongoing peace deal. These officials, aligned with Vice-President Riek Machar, were detained without justification, leading advocates to warn of potential conflict resurgence and calling for international intervention. Amid growing tensions and violence, the political future of South Sudan remains uncertain.
Security forces in South Sudan have apprehended oil minister Gen. Gabriel Doup Lam and army general Puot Kang Chol, both prominent members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO). These arrests have raised serious concerns regarding the stability of the peace agreement that concluded the civil war. Vice-President Riek Machar, a rival of President Salva Kiir, has ties to these senior officials, exacerbating tensions within the country’s political landscape.
The government has not provided justifications for the arrests, as noted by SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Gabriel Paul. South Sudan is the youngest nation globally, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but experienced civil war shortly thereafter, resulting in extensive loss of life and displacement. Despite reaching a peace deal in 2018, many issues related to its implementation remain unresolved.
President Kiir, through his spokesperson, has asserted that South Sudan will not revert to war despite the escalating tensions surrounding these arrests. Gen. Lam, who oversees the military wing of the SPLA-IO, was detained on a Tuesday, while Chol was arrested during the night. Furthermore, military forces loyal to Kiir had surrounded Machar’s residence in Juba before later withdrawing.
Amid these developments, Machar’s spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng, declared that Gen. Lam’s arrest breaches the peace agreement, putting the entire accord at risk and calling for international intervention. Reports have emerged indicating the White Army militia’s seizure of a strategic town, leading to fears of renewed violence.
The United Nations and African Union have expressed concerns regarding the potential for escalating violence in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state. Ter Manyang, from the Center for Peace and Advocacy, warned that without effective management by the country’s leadership, South Sudan could descend into war again, highlighting the precarious nature of the current situation. Although elections are scheduled for 2026, they have faced numerous delays, contributing to the ongoing uncertainty in the region.
The recent arrests of Gen. Gabriel Doup Lam and Puot Kang Chol by South Sudan’s security forces signal escalating tensions that jeopardize the fragile peace agreement established in 2018. The political landscape, influenced by rival factions and ongoing violence, remains precarious. Commentary from political leaders and advocacy groups underscores the urgent need for effective leadership to mitigate the risk of renewed conflict in this young nation.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
