Concerns are rising that South Sudan may be on the verge of a renewed civil war following the arrest of Riek Machar, the leader of the main opposition party.
On Thursday, his party announced that his detention has effectively dismantled the 2018 peace agreement that concluded five years of conflict, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands.
Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, the deputy chairperson of Machar’s party, stated that the agreement “has been abrogated” and emphasized that Machar’s arrest reflects a lack of political commitment to achieving peace and stability.
According to the fragile power-sharing arrangement, President Salva Kiir heads a unity government, with Machar, a former rebel leader, serving as First Vice President. There are also four other vice presidents in the country.
A member of Machar’s party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Opposition (SPLM-IO), reported that a convoy of armed vehicles arrived at his residence on Wednesday and took him into custody.
“His bodyguards were disarmed, and an arrest warrant was presented to him on unspecified charges,” said SPLM-IO official Reath Muoch Tang.
Machar faces allegations of supporting the White Army militia, which recently engaged in clashes with the military in Upper Nile State.
Although both groups fought together during the civil war, the SPLM-IO has denied any current connections with the militia.
Currently, Machar and his wife are under house arrest in the capital, Juba.
International condemnation of his arrest has been widespread.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has issued a warning that renewed conflict could have devastating effects not only on South Sudan but also on the broader region.
Nicholas Haysom, the head of UNMISS, stated that in light of reports regarding Machar’s detention, all parties should “exercise restraint and uphold the Revitalised Peace Agreement.”
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chair of the African Union Commission, announced plans to send a team to Juba “as part of efforts to de-escalate the situation.”
In a statement on X, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs called on President Kiir to lift the house arrest and “prevent further escalation of the situation.”
Tensions between the factions of Kiir and Machar have been rising, particularly following the attack on the army base in March.
The government has responded with airstrikes, warning civilians in the vicinity of the army group’s location to evacuate or “face consequences.”
Since the airstrikes began in mid-March, over a dozen individuals have lost their lives. earlier in March, several senior allies of Machar were detained by security forces, an action that his supporters have denounced as a “serious violation” of the peace agreement.
