The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam threatens South Sudan’s fragile peace deal, following accusations of rebellion collaboration. This incident has resulted in widespread concerns over stability, as reported clashes in Upper Nile state continue to escalate. Spokesperson Pal Mai Deng condemned the arrest, asserting it undermines the 2018 power-sharing agreement designed to end prolonged conflict.
The recent arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, deputy head of South Sudan’s armed forces, has raised significant concerns regarding the stability of the fragile peace deal in the country. His detention followed violent clashes in Upper Nile state, where the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), loyal to President Salva Kiir, accused him of collaborating with local rebels, primarily from the Nuer ethnic group, alongside Vice-President Riek Machar.
Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson for Machar, expressed his condemnation of Lam’s arrest, asserting that it directly contradicts the 2018 power-sharing agreement established to end South Sudan’s protracted civil war. This agreement was critical in concluding a conflict that led to the loss of approximately 400,000 lives and was designed to promote unity among competing factions.
The situation in Upper Nile state has been deteriorating, with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan reporting increased violence involving the army and armed youth in Nassir. This is characterized by the use of heavy weaponry, culminating in civilian and military casualties, thereby exacerbating an already tense atmosphere.
Despite the peace deal intended to stabilize relations between Kiir and Machar, which has remained a source of conflict since South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011, ongoing tensions and widespread violence continue to challenge the peace process. The arrests further jeopardize the already tenuous situation, leading many to fear a resurgence of conflict in the war-torn nation.
The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam signifies a potential setback to the fragile peace agreement in South Sudan, originally established to curb the violence stemming from a historic civil war. Coupled with ongoing violent clashes in Upper Nile state and the condemnation from the Vice-President’s spokesperson, the situation raises serious questions about the future stability of the nation. As South Sudan continues to face multifaceted challenges, the adherence to the 2018 peace deal is crucial for maintaining order and unity in this vulnerable region.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
