The arrests of South Sudan’s oil minister and an army general, both leaders in the opposition, raise concerns over the peace deal that ended the civil war. Membership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and ties to Vice-President Riek Machar exacerbate fears of instability. Despite assurances from President Kiir, escalating tensions and militia actions prompt calls for international intervention to maintain peace.
In South Sudan, the recent arrests of prominent opposition figures, including oil minister Gabriel Doup Lam and army general Puot Kang Chol, have raised alarm regarding the stability of the country’s peace deal. Both individuals are affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and are supporters of Vice-President Riek Machar, who is a significant rival of President Salva Kiir.
According to party spokesperson Col Lam Gabriel Paul, the government has not provided any reasons for these arrests. South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011, but civil unrest erupted in 2013 due to tensions between Kiir and Machar, leading to a devastating conflict that lasted five years, claiming 400,000 lives and displacing 2.5 million people. A peace agreement was reached in 2018, although challenges have persisted.
Despite these alarming developments, President Kiir, through his spokesperson, assured that South Sudan would not return to conflict. General Lam, who oversees the military faction of the opposition, was detained on a Tuesday, while Chol was apprehended under mysterious circumstances. Additionally, Machar’s residence in Juba was temporarily surrounded by the army, and other senior military associates of Machar are under house arrest.
The peace agreement, which has already faced numerous challenges, now appears to be in jeopardy. Machar’s spokesperson Pal Mai Deng emphasized that Gen Lam’s detention constituted a violation of the peace act, potentially endangering the entire accord and calling for international attention to the situation.
Moreover, these arrests coincided with reports of the White Army militia’s capture of a strategic town in Upper Nile state, heightening fears of escalating violence as the militia supported Machar during the civil war. Accusations have arisen from Kiir’s loyalists against Machar’s faction for allegedly backing the rebels. The UN and African Union have cautioned that violence in the region could intensify.
Ter Manyang, from the Center for Peace and Advocacy in Juba, warned that unchecked conflict could threaten the precarious peace deal, stating that without proactive management from national leaders, the country risks descending into war. South Sudan has yet to conduct elections, which are now scheduled for 2026 after numerous delays.
The recent arrests of key opposition figures in South Sudan have reignited concerns surrounding the fragile peace agreement that concluded a devastating civil war. With increasing military tensions and calls for international intervention, the future stability of South Sudan hangs in the balance. Notably, leadership actions must be scrutinized to avert a potential return to conflict as the country approaches a critical time ahead of the delayed elections in 2026.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
