South Sudan General’s Arrest Puts Peace Deal at Risk

South Sudan’s military has arrested General Gabriel Duop Lam, threatening the peace agreement following a violent incident involving clashes in Upper Nile state. This arrest has been condemned as a violation of the 2018 power-sharing deal, with ongoing violence raising concerns about stability in the young nation.

The recent arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, the deputy head of South Sudan’s armed forces and an ally of Vice-President Riek Machar, has raised alarms regarding the stability of the country’s fragile peace deal. This event transpired amid ongoing clashes in Upper Nile state, as tensions flare between the armed forces and rebel groups. The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), loyal to President Salva Kiir, accused Lam and his troops of colluding with rebels, primarily from the Nuer ethnic group, which includes Machar.

Machar’s spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng, vehemently criticized the arrest, claiming it undermines the 2018 power-sharing agreement aimed at resolving South Sudan’s prolonged conflict. This agreement was established to conclude a five-year civil war that inflicted tremendous suffering, with approximately 400,000 lives lost. In light of recent developments, hopes for sustained peace appear increasingly tenuous.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has highlighted an uptick in violence within Upper Nile state, particularly in Nassir, where clashes between state forces and armed youth have led to heavy casualties among both civilians and military personnel. Despite the peace deal’s intentions, signs of instability continue to threaten South Sudan’s nascent governance framework, prompting concerns over the overall security of this fledgling nation, which emerged from Sudan’s shadow in 2011.

In conclusion, the arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam poses a significant threat to the fragile peace agreement in South Sudan. With escalating violence highlighted by the UN and the condemnation from Vice-President Machar’s spokesperson, the future of stability in South Sudan remains uncertain. The ongoing tensions underline the challenges the nation faces in recently established governance structures following a turbulent history of conflict.

Original Source: newscentral.africa