Riek Machar, South Sudan’s First Vice President, was arrested, escalating tensions with President Salva Kiir and raising fears of renewed conflict. The power-sharing agreement is deteriorating, prompting UN warnings about potential violence. Clashes between rival forces have intensified, with international observers urging dialogue to prevent destabilization.
Riek Machar, the First Vice President of South Sudan, was arrested Wednesday, escalating ongoing tensions with President Salva Kiir. This incident, characterized by a forceful raid involving 20 armed vehicles at Machar’s residence in Juba, has prompted concerns from the United Nations about the potential for widespread conflict. Underpinned by a faltering power-sharing agreement, this development threatens a resurgence of the civil war that claimed around 400,000 lives from 2013 to 2018.
A statement from Machar’s party condemned the unconstitutional actions of the defense minister and national security chief, who commanded the armed raid and provided Machar with an arrest warrant under unspecified charges. The statement noted that Machar’s bodyguards were disarmed during the operation, and efforts to relocate him were underway.
The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom, emphasized that the situation places South Sudan’s leaders on the verge of returning to widespread conflict. He warned that breaches of the 2018 peace deal could not only devastate South Sudan but also destabilize the entire region.
Since declaring independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has struggled with poverty and insecurity. Analysts suggest that the 73-year-old Kiir has attempted to sideline Machar politically through cabinet changes, and over 20 of Machar’s allies in the government and army have been arrested in recent months, many without communication.
Clashes between the rivals’ forces have been frequent, particularly in Nasir County. Machar’s party has reported attacks on a military base and training centers near Juba, which are meant for integrating opposition forces into a unified army per the 2018 agreement. Machar’s military arm—SPLA-IO—condemned these attacks as terrorism.
Public sentiment in Juba is grim amid escalating tensions. Local residents have expressed concerns over the potential return to war. Lilian Sukeji voiced her fears, stating, “I feel like we are going back to war while we still need peace.”
Previously, Kiir expressed a commitment to peace after meeting with church leaders. However, violence in Nasir County has been on the rise, and the refusal of both Kiir and Machar to engage in dialogue has raised alarms, according to analysts.
Escalating violence is spreading across multiple states, according to International Crisis Group senior analyst Daniel Akech. He indicated that any renewed conflict would be decentralized, complicating efforts to manage it. In response to the deteriorating situation, Norway and Germany have closed their embassies in Juba, while the British and US embassies have reduced personnel and urged citizens to leave the country.
The arrest of Riek Machar highlights the fragile political landscape in South Sudan and the potential for renewed conflict. The ongoing power struggle and lack of dialogue between Machar and Kiir threaten to destabilize the region further. International observers express significant concern, emphasizing the necessity for peaceful negotiations to avert a return to war and ensure stability in South Sudan.
Original Source: homenewshere.com
