South Sudan’s army has arrested key allies of First Vice President Riek Machar, raising tensions in the capital Juba. This follows unrest in Upper Nile, jeopardizing the fragile 2018 peace agreement with President Salva Kiir. Officials demand the release of detainees to avoid escalating violence.
South Sudan has experienced renewed tensions as the army has arrested key allies of First Vice President Riek Machar. Key figures, including Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, were detained amidst a growing military presence around Machar’s residence in Juba, posing a significant threat to the fragile 2018 peace agreement that ended the previous civil war.
The arrests occurred following an incident where an armed group allied with Machar seized control of an army base in Upper Nile state. No explanation was provided for these actions. Machar, who has a long-standing rivalry with President Salva Kiir, has expressed concerns that these detentions jeopardize the peace deal, which has already faced strains due to the firing of his allies from government positions.
Water Minister Pal Mai Deng stated that Lam’s arrest endangers the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, undermining the Joint Defence Board, responsible for military oversight per the agreement. He emphasized the importance of trust among parties involved to maintain peace.
Puok Both Baluang, a spokesperson for Machar, disclosed that other military officials loyal to Machar are under house arrest and highlighted the lack of clarity regarding the reasons for the arrests. Meanwhile, Major-General Lul Ruai Koang, the army’s spokesperson, refrained from commenting on the situation.
The civil strife, which erupted after Machar’s dismissal in December 2013, has displaced over 2.5 million people and led to widespread food insecurity in the nation. Ongoing unrest in Upper Nile is contributing to rising tensions, with army accusations against Lam for collaborating with the White Army rebels, primarily from the Nuer ethnic community. The United Nations has reported escalating violence in the region, raising alarms over additional civilian casualties.
Ter Manyang Gatwich of the Center for Peace and Advocacy has called for the immediate release of the detainees, warning that failure to act could escalate violence into a full-scale war, further devastating the nation still recovering from its previous conflicts.
The recent arrests of Riek Machar’s allies and the military’s aggressive posture around his residence pose serious threats to South Sudan’s precarious peace. The lack of transparency surrounding these actions has heightened tensions, risking a return to violence that could destabilize the region further. Immediate dialogue and release of detained officials are crucial to prevent a deeper crisis.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
