South Sudan’s political climate intensifies as senior officials, including the petroleum minister and a lieutenant general allied with Vice President Riek Machar, are arrested amidst fears of a coup. The SSPDF accuses the general of collaborating with ethnic rebels in Upper Nile. The authority’s actions threaten the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement, which concluded a devastating civil war.
On March 5, 2025, South Sudan experienced a significant crackdown resulting in the detention of several high-ranking officials. This included three prominent politicians from the SPLM-IO party and Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, who is allied with Vice President Riek Machar. The arrests were executed by the National Security Service at the minister’s residence in Juba, raising concerns over the stability of the power-sharing government.
The timing of these arrests coincided with military actions against General Lam, who was taken into custody by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF). Vice President Machar’s spokesperson expressed alarm, indicating that this move undermines the 2018 power-sharing agreement, which concluded a prolonged civil conflict. The spokesperson highlighted the risks this situation poses to the peace established post-conflict.
No official rationale for the arrests has been disclosed. Analysts speculate that these events are linked to escalating violence in the Upper Nile state, where ethnic Nuer rebels have been engaged in clashes with government forces. The SSPDF claims that General Lam and his troops have collaborated with these rebels, aggravating an already tense situation.
South Sudan has a tumultuous history marked by civil strife, commencing in December 2013 when President Kiir dismissed Vice President Machar. The resultant civil unrest has led to immense loss of life, with approximately 400,000 fatalities and over 2.5 million individuals displaced. Although a peace agreement in 2018 alleviated some hostilities, its full implementation remains pending, and subsequent elections have been delayed.
In response to the escalating tensions, President Kiir has reassured the public that the nation will not revert to its war-torn past, according to official government statements. Despite these assurances, the current political climate and recent events necessitate vigilance to maintain peace in the country.
The recent arrests of key political figures in South Sudan underscore the fragility of the power-sharing government established under the 2018 peace agreement. With rising violence in regions such as Upper Nile and disputes between military factions, the concerns regarding stability and compliance with previous accords are more pertinent than ever. As President Kiir reaffirms a commitment to peace, the potential for renewed conflict remains a pressing issue in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.dw.com
