Concerns Emerge Over South Sudan Peace Deal Following Opposition Arrests

The arrests of South Sudan’s oil minister and an army general, both key opposition figures, have sparked worries over the stability of the peace deal established in 2018. These developments, amid rising tensions and accusations of militia activity, highlight the precarious political landscape and the risk of renewed conflict in the country.

In a troubling development, security forces in South Sudan have arrested oil minister Gabriel Doup Lam and army general Puot Kang Chol, both high-ranking members of the opposition party, sparking concerns regarding the stability of the 2018 peace agreement that ended the country’s civil war. Lam and Chol are allies of Vice-President Riek Machar, who has a contentious relationship with President Salva Kiir.

The government has yet to provide reasons for the arrests, which have alarmed many observers. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011; however, conflict ignited just two years later when Machar and Kiir’s partnership deteriorated, resulting in a civil war that claimed approximately 400,000 lives and displaced 2.5 million people. The subsequent peace agreement has faced persistent challenges since its inception.

Key opposition figure Gen Lam, who oversees the military faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), was apprehended on a Tuesday, while Chol was arrested during the night. In a significant show of force, troops surrounded Machar’s residence before withdrawing later. Additionally, other senior military officials associated with Machar have reportedly been placed under house arrest.

Concerns regarding the peace deal’s viability have intensified; Machar’s spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng, emphasized that Gen Lam’s detention “violates” the peace agreement and poses a risk to the entire framework of cooperation among opposing factions. Calls for international intervention have emerged in light of these arrests.

The situation is further exacerbated by reports indicating that the White Army militia has taken control of a strategic town in Upper Nile state following clashes with government forces, with accusations directed towards Machar’s allies regarding their support for the rebels. Both the UN and the African Union have expressed apprehensions that escalating violence may threaten regional stability.

Peace advocacy leader Ter Manyang warned that without effective management by the country’s top leadership, the conflict could escalate into war. South Sudan has yet to conduct an election, which is presently scheduled for 2026 after numerous delays, adding another layer of complexity to the political situation.

The recent arrests of Gabriel Doup Lam and Puot Kang Chol have raised significant concerns regarding the stability of South Sudan’s fragile peace agreement. With a history marked by conflict and challenges in governance, the current actions of the security forces may jeopardize the tenuous balance established in 2018. As tensions escalate, calls for international attention and intervention are becoming increasingly urgent to prevent a return to widespread violence.

Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk