Tensions Escalate in South Sudan Following Arrest of Opposition General

In a significant development, the arrest of opposition military leader General Gabriel Duop Lam and his associates from Riek Machar's faction has raised alarms over potential violations of South Sudan's peace agreement, amidst ongoing tensions between rival factions.

The arrest of an opposition army general in South Sudan has triggered accusations of a serious breach of the peace agreement designed to maintain stability following a protracted civil war. General Gabriel Duop Lam, who leads the military section of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), was detained earlier this week alongside other prominent officials closely associated with Vice-President Riek Machar.

SPLM-IO spokesperson Puok Both Baluang expressed deep concern over the lack of information regarding the whereabouts of the detained officials and emphasized the need for commitment from peace partners to prevent a return to conflict.

Government spokesperson Michael Makuei asserted that the arrests were justified and claimed the detained individuals were "in conflict with the law." This turmoil comes in the wake of South Sudan's civil war, which erupted two years after the country's independence from Sudan in 2011, following disputes between President Salva Kiir and Machar.

Despite a peace deal reached in 2018, which aimed to address the violence that resulted in around 400,000 casualties and the displacement of millions, friction continues to mar the implementation of the accord. General Lam's arrest, particularly alarming due to his status, indicates persisting distrust and unresolved tensions within the country's power dynamics.

In recent days, clashes have been reported in Upper Nile state, involving the White Army militia—historically allied with Machar—who have allegedly invaded a critical town. Observers worry that ongoing hostilities could further destabilize the fragile peace, with Ter Manyang, head of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, warning that renewed fighting could push South Sudan back into full-blown war.

As the country awaits long-delayed elections now scheduled for 2026, the current political climate remains precarious, with calls from international organizations for decisive leadership to uphold the peace agreement and protect the nation's fragile stability.