South Sudan Detains Key Allies of Vice President Machar Amid Rising Tensions

South Sudan has arrested key allies of Vice President Riek Machar, including the Petroleum Minister and Deputy Army Chief, as tensions rise with military forces surrounding Machar’s residence in Juba. These actions jeopardize the 2018 peace deal, which aimed to end a violent civil war. Concerns over unrest in the Upper Nile region and accusations against detained officials exacerbate the situation, with calls for urgent interventions to mitigate further conflict.

In South Sudan, authorities have detained the Petroleum Minister, Puot Kang Chol, and Deputy Army Chief, General Gabriel Duop Lam, who are allies of First Vice President Riek Machar. These arrests transpired as soldiers encircled Machar’s residence in the capital, Juba. Such actions threaten the fragile peace established by a 2018 agreement that aimed to end a devastating civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives.

These arrests follow an incident in which an armed faction allied with Machar seized an army base in the northern Upper Nile state. Machar himself has voiced concerns that the dismissal of his supporters from government positions jeopardizes the peace accord with President Salva Kiir. Water Minister Pal Mai Deng expressed that Lam’s detention risks undermining the entire peace process.

Deng asserted, “This action violates the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and cripples the Joint Defence Board,” emphasizing the repercussions on the command structure of the forces. The situation has aggravated suspicions and distrust between political factions, especially with the large contingent of troops surrounding Machar’s home.

In addition to Lam’s arrest, other senior military officials loyal to Machar have reportedly been placed under house arrest, but no reasons were articulated for these detentions. Additionally, the South Sudan army spokesperson declined to comment on these developments. The tensions stem largely from unrest in the Upper Nile region, where Lam is accused of collaborating with the White Army rebels.

The South Sudanese civil war, which began in December 2013 after Kiir dismissed Machar, left millions displaced and many facing hunger. The United Nations has noted an uptick in violence in Upper Nile, further complicating the situation. In response, Ter Manyang Gatwich of the Center for Peace and Advocacy urged for the immediate release of those arrested to avoid escalating violence into a possible full-scale war.

The recent arrests of key allies of Riek Machar underscore the ongoing political tensions in South Sudan, endangering the fragile peace agreement established in 2018. The deployment of troops around Machar’s home and the lack of clarity regarding the reasons for the arrests contribute to the volatility of the situation. The international community must closely monitor these developments to prevent a resurgence of conflict that could result in further humanitarian crises.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com