South Sudanese forces have arrested key allies of Vice President Riek Machar, raising stakes for the fragile 2018 peace agreement. Key figures, including the Petroleum Minister and Deputy Army Chief were detained amidst increased military presence outside Machar’s residence, reflecting ongoing political tensions following an armed group’s actions in Upper Nile. Calls for release are urgent to prevent further conflict.
In a significant political development, South Sudanese forces arrested key allies of First Vice President Riek Machar, namely the Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam, amid increased military presence around Machar’s residence in Juba. The arrests are perceived as threats to the fragile 2018 peace agreement that concluded a devastating civil war.
The apprehension of these officials follows an incident where a faction allied to Machar reportedly took control of an army base in Upper Nile state. Machar has articulated that the recent dismissals of his supporters endanger the peace deal with President Salva Kiir, which had previously ended a five-year conflict resulting in significant loss of life.
Water Minister Pal Mai Deng, representing Machar’s SPLM-IO party, condemned the arrests, stating that they jeopardize the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, undermining the Joint Defence Board essential for military coordination. Deng expressed concerns about the military buildup near Machar’s home as actions fostering distrust between political factions.
Additional expressions of concern emerged from Puok Both Baluang, another spokesman for Machar, who highlighted that more senior military members associated with Machar are now under house arrest. No official reasons for these arrests have been communicated to Machar’s faction.
The South Sudan army’s spokesperson, Major-General Lul Ruai Koang, declined to provide comments regarding the detentions or the troop deployment surrounding Machar. Regional unrest, especially in Upper Nile, is contributing to rising tensions, as accusations surface regarding Lam’s alleged collaboration with local rebel forces.
The United Nations has reported escalating violence in the area, indicating potential humanitarian crises with civilian casualties amid ongoing conflicts between armed groups. Civil unrest has persisted since South Sudan’s independence in 2011, prompting concerns from peace advocates regarding a return to widespread violence.
Ter Manyang Gatwich, executive director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, has urged for the immediate release of the detained officials to prevent further violence and to avert a potential resurgence of an all-out war.
The recent arrests of key allies of Riek Machar amid a military blockade around his residence highlight the fragility of the peace agreement that ended South Sudan’s civil war. These developments provoke concerns over political stability and civil unrest in the region. Immediate action is necessary to prevent escalation and to maintain peace, as regional violence threatens to spiral out of control.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
