By Staff Writer
Civil society organization, the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), has called for release of Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, Chief of Staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).
Lt. Gen. Guop was reportedly arrested in Juba on Tuesday.
SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel confirmed to this outlet that Lt. General Duop was arrested
“I can confirm that up to now, he is in Giada detention, all his bodyguards are also detained,” he confirmed.
According to LAM, the incident happened in the afternoon hours.
The reason for the arrest was not clear, but Col. Lam said the SPLA-IO CDF’s arrest might have been linked to the rest classes in Nasir County of Upper Nile State.
Duop’s reported arrest at Bilpam military headquarters follows clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, where “White Army” have been fighting with the SSPDF in Nasir County of Upper Nile State.
Meanwhile, the SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang said his office would not provide media briefing on the matter.
“This brief message serves to inform all media agencies that, the Office of SSPDF Spokesperson, as of now, is not in a position to provide media briefing on the security situation in Nasir and the surrounding areas,” he said.
In a statement, CPA warns that his detention could escalate tensions between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO, potentially triggering widespread conflict.
“CPA has received credible information that Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam was arrested at Bipam Headquarters around 11 a.m. and has since been transferred to Tiger Headquarters,” he said. “The reason for his arrest is linked to the capture of Nasir County in Upper Nile by the White Army, which the SSPDF believes has ties to SPLA-IO.”
CPA called on both leaders, President Salva Kiir and Dr. Machar, to address the nation before the country experiences another deadly conflict under their watch.
He urged the international community, the African Union, IGAD, and EAC will hold both leaders accountable for failing the country.
“CPA reminds political leaders that South Sudan is our home, where our children and grandchildren will live for generations. We are tired of hearing about war every day in the country,” he said.
In another statement, Edmund Yakani, also called on the leaders to address the differences amicably.
Tensions have escalated in South Sudan’s capital Juba after four senior military officers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) were arrested at the army headquarters, a senior party member has revealed.