South Sudanese soldiers have encircled Vice President Riek Machar’s home in Juba amid arrests of his allies following an armed group’s takeover of an army base. Machar warns that his allies’ dismissals threaten the 2018 peace deal he established with President Salva Kiir. Detainees’ release is crucial to avoid further violence, as elections face delays due to funding issues.
On Wednesday, South Sudanese soldiers surrounded the residence of Vice President Riek Machar in Juba, following the arrests of several of his allies. This action followed an incident where an armed group allied to Machar overran an army base in northern South Sudan, escalating tensions in the region.
Machar has previously warned that the dismissal of his allies from government positions jeopardizes the peace deal established in 2018 with President Salva Kiir, which ended a devastating civil war. Notably, Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam, who supports Machar, was detained, while Machar’s ally and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, alongside his family and bodyguards, was arrested without stated reasons.
While neither Machar nor his political party, the SPLM-IO, have publicly responded to these developments, Water Minister Pal Mai Deng, acting as the party’s spokesperson, highlighted that Lam’s detention threatens the stability of the peace agreement. Last week, Western envoys urged South Sudanese leaders to ease tensions and prevent further conflict.
Ter Manyang Gatwich, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, has called for the immediate release of detainees to avert potential escalations into widespread violence. South Sudan has yet to implement the 2018 peace agreement fully, and elections that were slated for last year have been postponed for two years due to financial constraints.
The situation in South Sudan remains precarious as Vice President Riek Machar faces increased military pressure, with several of his allies having been arrested. The potential disruption of the peace agreement poses serious risks for the nation, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and resolution. Calls for de-escalation are crucial to prevent further conflict and to ensure stability in the region as the country navigates its lingering political challenges.
Original Source: kstp.com
