By Our Reporter
Juba, South Sudan – South Sudanese security forces have arrested or placed under house arrest several high-ranking military officials affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), further deepening political and security tensions in the capital, Juba.
A confidential report sheds light on the detentions, which come amid growing unrest and challenges in implementing the 2018 peace agreement.
Senior Military Officials Detained
Among the top military figures affected are:
1. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam
- Roles: Co-chair of the Joint Defense Board (JDB), Deputy Chief of Staff of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), and acting Chief of Staff of the SPLA-IO.
- Details: Initially arrested at Bilpham, SSPDF’s main command center, before being transferred to the Southern Military Command prison near the University of Juba. His detention is particularly significant due to his senior leadership position within Dr. Riek Machar’s faction.
2. Gen. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok
- Role: Inspector General of the SSPDF.
- Details: Placed under house arrest and stripped of his security detail.
3. Gen. Wesley Welebe
- Role: Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply.
- Details: Also placed under house arrest without security guards.
4. Gen. Ashhab Khamis Fahal
- Role: Assistant Chief of Staff for Moral Orientation.
- Details: Detained in a similar manner, under house arrest and deprived of his security detail.
5. Gen. Garang Ayii Akol
- Roles: Director General of Procurement at the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and a representative of the SSOA.
- Details: Placed under house arrest, with his security removed.
Why Were They Arrested?
The South Sudanese government has not officially explained the reasons for these arrests. However, analysts suggest they are linked to rising tensions in SPLM-IO-controlled states, including Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Upper Nile.
The situation escalated after recent clashes in Nasir Town, where the White Army, a Nuer armed youth militia, attacked government positions, raising concerns about renewed violence. The detentions may be part of a broader political crackdown as President Salva Kiir’s administration tightens control over security forces and opposition figures.
Opposition Demands Immediate Action
The SPLA-IO has strongly condemned the arrests, calling them unjustified and warning that such actions threaten the fragile peace agreement. In response, the opposition has issued a list of demands, including:
✅ Immediate Release of Detained Officials: The government must free all arrested military officers and guarantee their safety and legal rights.
✅ Withdrawal of Troops from Machar’s Residence: Security forces should stand down to prevent further escalation.
✅ Transparent Investigation: An independent probe into the detentions must be conducted, ensuring accountability for any legal violations.
✅ Renewed Political Dialogue: The government and opposition must recommit to national reconciliation and stability.
✅ Regional and International Intervention: The United Nations, African Union, and IGAD should pressure Juba to uphold human rights and fully implement the peace deal.
What’s Next?
These arrests mark a dangerous escalation in South Sudan’s ongoing political crisis, threatening the unity government’s stability. With elections scheduled for 2026, political analysts fear that continued crackdowns and military confrontations could derail the peace process, pushing the country back into turmoil.
The coming days will be critical as domestic and international actors weigh in on the crisis. Whether the government heeds calls for dialogue or continues its hardline approach remains to be seen.
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