The South Sudanese army has surrounded Vice President Riek Machar’s home amidst rising tensions following the arrest of his allies after an armed faction attacked a military base. Machar warns that these events threaten the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement that ended a previous civil war. Calls for de-escalation and the release of detainees have been made to avoid further conflict.
On Wednesday, South Sudanese soldiers encircled the residence of Vice President Riek Machar in Juba as multiple allies were taken into custody following an attack by an armed faction associated with him on an army base in the northern region. This escalation occurs amidst growing tensions between Machar and President Salva Kiir, which have historically led to civil conflict.
Machar has previously warned that the dismissal of several of his associates from their governmental roles jeopardizes the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement that concluded a brutal five-year civil war resulting in over 400,000 fatalities. The recent detainment of Deputy Army Chief Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam occurred on Tuesday, while Machar’s ally, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, and several of his bodyguards were arrested on Wednesday without any given justification.
While neither Machar nor his political faction, the SPLM-IO, has issued a statement regarding the ongoing violence, Water Minister Pal Mai Deng, serving as the party spokesperson, cautioned that Lam’s detention could threaten the entire peace framework. In response to the escalating situation, Western diplomats have advocated for the South Sudanese leaders to take measures to reduce tensions.
Ter Manyang Gatwich, the Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, has called for the immediate release of the detainees to prevent potential violence from escalating into what he terms a “full-scale war.” Meanwhile, South Sudan continues to struggle with the implementation of the 2018 peace accord, and elections that were expected last year have been delayed for an additional two years due to financial constraints.
In summary, the situation in South Sudan is growing increasingly volatile with the military surrounding Vice President Riek Machar’s residence following his allies’ arrests. The historical rivalry between Machar and President Kiir raises concerns about the peace agreement established in 2018, which is already at risk due to recent political dismissals and arrests. Urgent calls for the release of detainees emphasize the need to avert further conflict as the country continues to grapple with its political instability and unfulfilled electoral promises.
Original Source: apnews.com
