Risk to South Sudan Peace Agreement Following Key Arrests Linked to Machar

The peace agreement in South Sudan is endangered by the arrests of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam and Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, both associated with Vice President Riek Machar. The situation reflects rising political and security tensions in the nation, which has been marred by civil conflict since 2013, resulting in severe humanitarian issues. The stability of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict is now uncertain amid ongoing unrest.

The peace agreement in South Sudan is jeopardized following the arrest of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, a senior officer linked to First Vice President Riek Machar. The military has surrounded Machar’s residence, and it is reported that Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, who has held office since 2020 as part of the 2018 power-sharing agreement, has also been detained. He is believed to be held within a military intelligence facility, along with family members and bodyguards who reportedly had their devices confiscated.

A spokesperson for Machar stated, “This action violates the peace agreement and paralyzes the Joint Defence Board, which oversees the command and control of all forces. These measures erode trust between the parties.” This latest development occurs against a backdrop of ongoing political and security unrest in South Sudan, where conflicts persist between rival factions despite the 2018 peace accord aimed at ceasing the civil war initiated in December 2013. The earlier conflict resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities and massive displacement of citizens, leaving the nation in dire socio-economic conditions.

The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), signed in 2018, continues to face significant challenges, particularly in unifying armed factions to establish a cohesive national army. The ongoing detentions threaten to hinder progress in this already stalled peace process.

The recent arrests of key figures linked to Vice President Riek Machar pose a threat to the fragile peace agreement in South Sudan. As tensions heighten and trust erodes among the conflicting parties, the need for a cohesive national army formation remains urgent. The potential dismantling of the existing peace framework could further exacerbate the political turmoil and security issues within the nation, prolonging its recovery from years of conflict.

Original Source: www.fides.org