The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, a key ally of Vice-President Riek Machar, has escalated tensions in South Sudan, threatening the delicate peace deal established in 2018. Accused of colluding with rebels, Duop Lam’s detention highlights ongoing conflicts and ethnic divisions. The recent surge in violence in Upper Nile state raises significant concerns about stability within the nation.
The recent arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam, the deputy head of South Sudan’s armed forces and a significant ally of Vice-President Riek Machar, has raised serious concerns regarding the fragile peace within the nation. This incident occurred alongside an increased military presence surrounding Machar’s residence, prompting fears for the stability of the peace agreement established in 2018.
General Duop Lam was detained amidst ongoing clashes in the Upper Nile state. The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), loyal to President Salva Kiir, accused him and his forces of collaboration with regional rebels, primarily from the Nuer ethnic group, which includes Machar himself.
Pal Mai Deng, Machar’s spokesperson, condemned the general’s arrest, viewing it as a violation of the 2018 power-sharing accord which sought to resolve South Sudan’s five-year civil war. This civil conflict has had a dire impact, resulting in significant loss of life and displacement.
The situation in Upper Nile state has deteriorated, with recent reports from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan highlighting violent confrontations between the army and armed youth in Nassir. These clashes involved heavy weaponry and led to numerous civilian and military casualties.
The 2018 peace agreement aimed to conclude a civil war fueled by the longstanding rivalry between Kiir and Machar, which has claimed the lives of approximately 400,000 people. Despite these attempts at reconciliation, tensions continue to simmer throughout the nation, which achieved its independence from Sudan in 2011.
The arrest of General Gabriel Duop Lam clearly jeopardizes the fragile peace established in South Sudan. It underscores ongoing ethnic tensions and military confrontations that threaten the stability of the region. The continued violence, despite the 2018 peace agreement, raises critical concerns regarding the future of governance and peace in South Sudan, necessitating proactive measures from both factions and international observers.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
