The SPLM-IO expressed concern over increased security around Dr. Riek Machar’s residence after the arrest of Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, which they deem a violation of the peace agreement. Yakani from CEPO confirmed the blockades by government forces, escalating public fear. The situation reflects ongoing challenges in South Sudan’s fragile peace process.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has raised concerns over the significant increase in security personnel surrounding the residence of Dr. Riek Machar, the First Vice President of South Sudan, pivotal to the existing peace agreement. This heightened security follows the recent detention of Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, a key figure in the Joint Defence Board, which jeopardizes efforts to unify armed factions under the terms of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Presidents Salva Kiir and Dr. Machar, leading their respective factions, have faced persistent challenges in maintaining the peace framework which aims to foster national unity.
According to SPLM-IO Spokesperson Pal Mai Deng, Gen. Lam was arrested by Gen. Paul Nang, Chief of Defence Forces of the SSPDF. This action has been denounced by the SPLM-IO as a breach of the revitalized agreement, which is essential for overseeing the control and command of the armed forces established by the peace accord. The SPLM-IO is demanding Gen. Lam’s prompt release and urges all involved to take measures to alleviate rising tensions, particularly with regard to the recent violence reported in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
Furthermore, Edmund Yakani of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) confirmed that the elite Tiger Division, among other government forces, is currently stationed around Machar’s residence, effectively sealing off all access points. He characterized the situation as alarming, indicating it has incited public fear and poses a threat to the fragile peace dialogue. Eyewitness accounts report a significant upsurge in security personnel around Machar’s residence, revealing the seriousness of the concerns at hand.
A reliable source cited by Radio Tamazuj disclosed that the detained SPLM-IO personnel include not only Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam but also Lt. Gen. Wesley Welebe and two additional officers, linking their arrests to recent conflicts between the SSPDF and the White Army in Nasir. This development followed a critical high-level meeting convened by the Presidency to discuss the increasing instability affecting regions such as Nasir, Western Equatoria State, and Western Bahr el Ghazal State. Present at this meeting were prominent figures including Dr. Riek Machar and various vice presidents and political leaders.
The heightened security measures surrounding Dr. Riek Machar’s residence amidst the arrest of Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam raise significant alarm within the SPLM-IO regarding the adherence to the peace agreement. The ongoing tensions and recent violence in Nasir County underscore the fragility of South Sudan’s peace process. It is imperative for all parties to engage in dialogue and de-escalation to safeguard the ongoing peace efforts.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
