South Sudan’s military has arrested Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, a senior officer loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar, alongside the deployment of troops near Machar’s residence. This action raises concerns about the integrity of the 2018 peace agreement, which concluded a five-year civil conflict between Machar and President Salva Kiir. The spokesperson warned that such military maneuvers threaten the trust necessary for peace.
In a tense situation in South Sudan, forces have detained Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, a senior military figure aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar. The arrest, conducted by General Paul Nang, the head of South Sudan’s defense forces, coincided with the deployment of troops around Machar’s residence, raising alarms about the stability of the 2018 peace agreement that concluded a prolonged civil conflict.
Despite the peace established by the 2018 accord, which aimed to end the five-year civil war between Machar and President Salva Kiir, community violence remains prevalent. Machar’s spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng, expressed deep concern over this incident, noting that it undermines the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict, especially threatening the Joint Defence Board tasked with orchestrating military command. \n
Deng stated, “This action violates the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and cripples the Joint Defence Board, a vital institution of the Agreement responsible for the command and control of all forces.”
The spokesperson also highlighted worries regarding the substantial deployment of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) around Machar’s home, indicating that such display of military presence could erode trust among the involved parties. Additionally, Major General Lul Ruai Koang from the South Sudan army declined to issue comments about Lam’s detention or the troop movements.
The civil war, ignited in December 2013 following Machar’s dismissal by Kiir, resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths and displaced over 2.5 million individuals. The conflict devastated the nation’s oil production, a key economic resource, adding to the hardships faced by its population of roughly 11 million. Historical instances of violence, including a significant clash in July 2016, demonstrate the ongoing tensions between the two leaders, each denouncing responsibility for the riots and calling for tranquility amid chaos.
The arrest of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam underscores the fragile state of peace in South Sudan, particularly in light of the heavy military presence around First Vice President Riek Machar’s home. This situation threatens the stability brought by the 2018 peace agreement and raises fundamental questions about the trust and cooperation among South Sudan’s leadership. Continued violence and political discord could further destabilize the region, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue and resolution strategies.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
