Arrest of Opposition General Sparks Fears of Renewed Conflict in South Sudan

The recent arrest of Gen Gabriel Duop Lam, a key figure from South Sudan's opposition, has raised alarms about the stability of the country's peace deal. As tensions rise, opposition representatives warn of potential escalations if the government does not uphold its commitments.

The arrest of a high-ranking army general affiliated with South Sudan's main opposition party has ignited serious concerns about the future of the country's fragile peace deal, which brought an end to a devastating civil war that lasted five years. General Gabriel Duop Lam, who leads the military wing of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), was taken into custody this week along with other senior officials close to Vice-President Riek Machar.

Following the arrests, Machar's spokesperson stated that the SPLM-IO is unaware of the detained officials' whereabouts, stressing the need for political cooperation to prevent a return to conflict. In contrast, President Salva Kiir's administration maintains that the opposition leaders were arrested due to legal breaches.

The backdrop to these developments is the ongoing division within South Sudan since its separation from Sudan in 2011. The constitutional crisis erupted just two years post-independence when Kiir dismissed his entire cabinet, accusing Machar of orchestrating a coup attempt. Since then, the country has suffered significant loss of life and displacement, exacerbating an already volatile situation despite the peace agreement signed in 2018.

Gen Lam’s detention occurs amidst rising tensions in the Upper Nile state, where reports indicate that the White Army militia has clashed with government troops, highlighting the precariousness of the situation. Observers warn that the resurgence of violence, especially with historical ties to Machar's faction, could jeopardize the peace accord.

Moreover, with no elections held since independence and scheduled for 2026, the pressure mounts on South Sudan's leadership to navigate these turbulent waters carefully. Experts suggest that failure to manage the unrest may lead the nation further down the path toward war, underscoring the urgent need for dialogue and adherence to the peace process.