Wed Mar 05 12:46:09 UTC 2025: ## South Sudan Peace Deal on Brink as Key Officials Arrested, Machar’s Home Surrounded
**JUBA, South Sudan** – Tensions are soaring in South Sudan as the arrest of several high-ranking officials loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar has raised serious concerns about the future of the fragile 2018 peace agreement. The arrests, coupled with the deployment of troops around Machar’s residence, have sparked fears of a return to all-out civil war.
Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol was arrested on Wednesday, following the Tuesday arrest of Deputy army chief General Gabriel Duop Lam. Both are considered allies of Machar. Several other senior military officials allied with Machar have also been placed under house arrest. No official reason has been given for the arrests, though they follow an incident where an armed group allied with Machar overran an army base in Upper Nile state.
The South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), Machar’s party, has condemned the arrests, stating they violate the peace agreement and undermine the Joint Defence Board. Spokesman Pal Mai Deng warned that these actions “put the entire peace agreement at risk” and erode trust between the parties.
The South Sudan army spokesperson, Major-General Lul Ruai Koang, refused to comment on the arrests or the military presence surrounding Machar’s home. However, the army has accused General Lam of collaborating with rebel groups in Upper Nile state. The United Nations has previously reported increased fighting in the region.
The 2018 peace deal ended a brutal five-year civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives and displaced millions. The current escalation echoes the rivalry between Machar and President Salva Kiir, which initially ignited the conflict.
The Center for Peace and Advocacy has urged the immediate release of the arrested officials to prevent further violence and a potential return to full-scale war. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, deeply concerned about the potential unraveling of the hard-won peace.
First Piper 