Escalating Political Crisis in South Sudan Amid Staggering Arrests

South Sudanese authorities have detained 22 political and military personnel amid violent clashes since February 2025, sparking a political crisis. Human Rights Watch urges the government to clarify detainees’ conditions and protect their rights. The recent arrests of key opposition figures, including Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam and other SPLA-IO members, raise alarms over human rights violations and the misuse of security forces.

In South Sudan, authorities have detained at least 22 political and military personnel amidst escalating violence between government forces and armed groups in the Upper Nile region. These clashes, which began in mid-February 2025, have exacerbated the country’s already fragile political situation, according to Human Rights Watch.

Nyagoah Tut Pur, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, emphasized the negative impact of these opaque arrests, stating, “The lack of transparency and legitimate concerns about the legality of the arrests and detention of opposition leaders… fuel instability in an already fragile security context.” The organization calls for the immediate disclosure of the detainees’ conditions and due process rights in accordance with legal standards.

Those detained are primarily associated with First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO). The severity of the situation is illustrated by a recent spike in violence, notably in Nasir, where clashes resulted in the displacement of thousands. Machar, a long-standing opponent of President Kiir, has significant support in this region.

Among those arrested was Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, the deputy chief of staff of the unified army and confirmed acting chief of staff for SPLA-IO, alongside several of his bodyguards. Their current location remains unknown, raising concerns of enforced disappearance under international law.

The arrests and detentions in South Sudan highlight significant issues surrounding human rights and governance. The lack of clarity about detainees’ conditions and the criticisms aimed at the National Security Service’s legal oversight demonstrate a troubling trend in the region. Human Rights Watch urges the government to address these concerns and adhere to international human rights obligations, calling for an immediate halt to the arbitrary detention of opposition members and a commitment to transparency in legal processes.

Original Source: www.hrw.org