Makuei claims arrest of opposition generals, minister due to ‘conflict’ with law

JUBA – South Sudan’s minister of information Michael Makuei Lueth has confirmed the arrest of senior military generals and politicians from the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), stating that the detention was due to a violation of the law.

This comes a day after the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) detained at least three opposition commanders, including the group’s chief of staff Gabriel Duop Lam who is also the deputy chief of defense forces of the SSPDF.

This morning, elements from the National Security Services (NSS) stormed the residence of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chuol and took him along with seven others to unidentified location.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in Juba, Makuei who is also the government spokesman dismissed concerns over the arrest, asserting that the government only detains individuals for legitimate reasons.

“They were arrested because they were in conflict with the law. There is no joke about that. What we need is security. If anybody is arrested, it is for a reason,” the senior government official stated.

“If you are in conflict with the law, it means you are accused of violating its provisions. Once you are in violation, you are automatically in conflict with the law and subject to arrest and court proceedings,” he added.

The arrest comes amid rising tensions between the government and opposition forces. In recent weeks, multiple SPLA-IO commanders have been detained by security agencies, fueling concerns over the fragile implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.

Opposition leaders have previously accused the government of targeting SPLA-IO officers under the pretext of legal violations, while the government insists that arrests are carried out strictly based on legal grounds.

The detention of opposition figures has also heightened fears of renewed political and military instability, especially as South Sudan prepares for its first post-independence elections scheduled for December 2026.

The identity of the detained SPLA-IO general has not been officially disclosed, and authorities have yet to clarify the specific charges against him.

Efforts to reach SPLA-IO officials for comment were unsuccessful.