The arrest of South Sudan’s oil minister and deputy head of the armed forces raises concerns for the peace deal between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar. General Gabriel Duop Lam’s detention for supporting rebels signals increased tensions in the region. These events jeopardize the country’s already fragile political stability, threatening the power-sharing agreement that ended the civil war.
On Wednesday, South Sudan’s oil minister and deputy head of the armed forces were arrested, raising concerns over the country’s tenuous peace agreement. General Gabriel Duop Lam, an ally of Vice-President Riek Machar, was detained on charges of supporting rebels in Upper Nile state. Troops surrounding Machar’s residence, confirmed by his spokesman, are from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) allied with President Salva Kiir.
The historical rivalry between Kiir and Machar led to a civil war from 2013 to 2018, resulting in approximately 400,000 fatalities. Although a power-sharing agreement was reached, several key provisions, including elections, have seen repeated delays. Machar’s spokesperson Pal Mai Deng stated that the arrest of Duop Lam “violates” the peace deal and threatens the overall agreement.
Additionally, petroleum minister Puot Kang Chol, another supporter of Machar, was also arrested with family members and bodyguards, identified as occurring by National Security Service personnel at his residence in Juba. Growing unrest in Upper Nile state is believed to have triggered these events, with the army accusing Lam’s troops of collaborating with the White Army rebels, predominantly from the Nuer ethnic group.
Reports from the UN Mission in South Sudan indicate rising conflict between the army and armed youth in Nassir county, involving heavy weaponry and resulting in civilian casualties. Since gaining independence from Sudan, South Sudan has remained entrenched in poverty and violence, exacerbating political tensions.
The arrests of key officials in South Sudan signal a critical threat to the fragile peace established post-civil war. The actions against General Duop Lam and Minister Puot Kang Chol highlight escalating political tensions and concerns regarding unrest in Upper Nile state. These developments pose serious risks to the stability of the power-sharing agreement between Kiir and Machar, which remains unfulfilled in various aspects.
Original Source: www.newagebd.net
