Arrest of General in South Sudan Sparks Concerns Over Peace Deal Violation

The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam and opposition officials in South Sudan has raised significant concerns over the integrity of the peace deal that ended years of civil war. Amid ongoing tensions and violence, government officials and opposition leaders have expressed the urgent need for cooperation to prevent a return to conflict, particularly with pivotal elections set for 2026.

The recent arrest of Army General Gabriel Duop Lam along with key officials from South Sudan’s main opposition, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), has been termed a significant breach of the peace accord that concluded the five-year civil war. This action has raised serious concerns among opposition leaders, further complicating the fragile peace process established in 2018.

General Lam, who oversees the military faction of the SPLM-IO, was detained earlier this week, prompting Vice-President Riek Machar’s spokesperson to express uncertainty over the location and wellbeing of the detained officials. In an effort to maintain stability, Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, urged for political cooperation to prevent a return to conflict.

In response, President Salva Kiir, through government spokesperson Michael Makuei, emphasized the commitment to peace, claiming that the arrests were justified due to legal conflicts. These incidents follow a resurgence of violence, particularly involving the White Army militia, which recently seized a strategic town in Upper Nile state, heightening tensions and highlighting the precarious state of peace in South Sudan.

The Juba-based Center for Peace and Advocacy has expressed concerns about potential escalation, warning that continuing violence could jeopardize the peace agreement. Moreover, the country is scheduled for elections in 2026, having never held one since its independence from Sudan in 2011, further complicating the political landscape.

The arrests of General Gabriel Duop Lam and other SPLM-IO officials underscore the fragility of South Sudan’s peace agreement and suggest a looming risk of renewed conflict. With both the opposition and government emphasizing their commitment to peace, the situation demands careful management to avoid further escalations. The upcoming elections in 2026 are a critical juncture for the country’s stability, as past grievances continue to influence current dynamics.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com