Political Turmoil in South Sudan: Arrests of Opposition Leaders Amidst Violence

Human Rights Watch reports at least 22 political and military arrests in South Sudan amidst rising violence in Upper Nile. The detentions are linked with opposition leader Riek Machar. Concerns over human rights violations have been raised, urging for transparency and due process, while calling for international pressure on the government to uphold human rights.

Human Rights Watch reports the arrest of at least 22 political and military figures in South Sudan following violent clashes between the government and armed groups in Upper Nile that began in mid-February 2025. This situation has led to a significant political crisis within the nation.

Nyagoah Tut Pur, a South Sudan researcher at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the unstable environment, asserting that the lack of transparency regarding these arrests exacerbates the situation. She called on authorities to disclose the status of detainees and uphold due process rights through fair judicial proceedings.

The detainees are primarily aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Concurrently, violence in Nasir has displaced thousands, igniting tensions between government forces and a militia group known as the White Army. The detentions coincide with this unrest, highlighting the antagonism towards Machar’s supporters.

Human Rights Watch urged an end to the enforced disappearances of opposition-linked detainees and called for full observance of their rights. Notably, on March 4, Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam and five of his bodyguards were detained, with their current status undisclosed, raising concerns of enforced disappearance under international law.

Further incidents of arrest occurred, including the detention of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and others by National Security Service (NSS) officers on March 5. On March 6, several officials, including Thomas Jal Thomas and Stephen Par Kuol, were also briefly detained, highlighting ongoing government crackdowns.

The violence escalated on March 7 when armed individuals attacked a UN helicopter, resulting in casualties. Concurrently, the army reinforced security measures around Juba amidst increasing tensions. Reports confirmed the ongoing detention of various SPLA-IO members, with diminishing transparency regarding their fates.

Government representatives have largely refrained from providing details about the arrests, emphasizing the purported necessity of these actions. Human Rights Watch criticized the NSS’s lack of oversight and the potential for human rights abuses, advocating for legislative revisions to align their powers with constitutional and international human rights standards.

The call for accountability is punctuated by the recommendation that the international community, including organizations like the United Nations, pressure South Sudanese authorities to honor human rights commitments. The overarching sentiment emphasizes the urgent need for cessation of arbitrary detentions, characterized as an oppression tactic against political opposition.

In conclusion, recent political unrest in South Sudan has led to a significant number of arrests of opposition leaders and military personnel, fueled by escalating clashes in Upper Nile. Human Rights Watch highlights a critical need for transparency and due process for detainees, decrying the government’s oppressive measures. The situation necessitates immediate international attention to safeguard human rights and to demand accountability from South Sudanese authorities.

Original Source: www.hrw.org