Several senior South Sudan officials, including SPLM-IO politicians and a lieutenant general, were arrested amid signs of a coup against the power-sharing government. The arrests raise concerns regarding the stability of the 2018 peace agreement, with accusations against General Doup Lam of collaborating with ethnic rebels. As violence escalates, President Kiir asserts that the nation will not regress into war.
A recent crackdown in South Sudan has resulted in the arrest of several senior officials, including three prominent politicians from the SPLM-IO party and a lieutenant general aligned with Vice President Riek Machar. The arrests occurred amid rising tensions suggestive of a coup targeting a faction within the power-sharing government. Notably, South Sudan’s petroleum minister, Puot Kang Chol, was taken into custody at his residence in Juba along with family members and bodyguards, as confirmed by the ministry’s press secretary.
The arrest operation was reportedly carried out by members of the National Security Service. This development followed the arrest of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam by troops from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), who are loyal to President Salva Kiir. The SSPDF also surrounded Machar’s residence, raising concerns about the safety of the vice president and the stability of the government.
Officials within Machar’s camp have characterized these actions as violations of the 2018 power-sharing agreement intended to restore peace after five tumultuous years of civil war. A spokesperson for Machar indicated that these actions threaten the integrity of the entire agreement and expressed grave concerns regarding the military presence surrounding Machar’s home.
While no official rationale has been provided for the recent arrests, analysts believe they may relate to violence in the Upper Nile state, where ethnic Nuer rebels have engaged in confrontations with government forces. The SSPDF has accused General Duop Lam and his troops, who are largely from the Nuer community, of colluding with these rebels amid reports of escalating fighting in the region involving heavy weaponry and resulting in civilian casualties.
The backdrop of South Sudan’s turmoil includes the civil war that began in December 2013, correlating with President Kiir’s dismissal of Machar and resulting in profound humanitarian consequences, including approximately 400,000 deaths and the displacement of over 2.5 million individuals. Although a peace deal in 2018 alleviated some conflict, the government remains unstable and elections have been delayed, leaving the nation grappling with persistent poverty and violence.
In the wake of the arrests, President Kiir has stated that South Sudan will “not go back to war,” as per comments made by a government spokesman, indicating a commitment to preventing further conflict.
The arrests of significant political figures in South Sudan amid suspicions of a coup attempt highlight the precarious nature of the country’s power-sharing arrangement. As tensions rise and accusations of collusion with rebels emerge, the stability of the government becomes increasingly threatened. Observers note that these events could jeopardize the hard-won peace established in 2018, necessitating careful monitoring by both national and international parties to ensure a path away from renewed conflict.
Original Source: www.dw.com
