Riek Machar, First Vice President of South Sudan, was arrested in Juba, sparking fears of renewed civil conflict. The UN and foreign governments have expressed alarm over escalating tensions, with 50,000 people displaced due to recent clashes. Machar’s party condemned the actions as unconstitutional and called for clarity regarding the charges.

Riek Machar, South Sudan’s First Vice President, has been arrested in Juba. His arrest involved “20 heavily armed vehicles,” as reported by the SPLM-IO party’s Foreign Relations Committee chairman. The statement from Machar’s party condemned these actions by government officials, labeling the charges against him as “unclear.”

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) indicated that this arrest places the nation in a precarious position, stating that leaders are poised either to escalate into conflict or pursue peace and recovery. UNMISS head Nicholas Haysom urged all parties to “exercise restraint” to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Over the previous 24 hours, clashes were reported between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with Machar. The UN warned that renewed civil war could erupt, leading to heightened tensions. Countries like Norway and Germany have temporarily closed their embassies due to the deteriorating security climate.

The UN has noted that around 50,000 individuals have been displaced due to ongoing conflicts in Upper Nile since the previous month. The situation remains dire, with potential for widespread implications for peace in South Sudan.

The arrest of Riek Machar has escalated tensions in South Sudan, raising fears of renewed conflict. Both the UN and various foreign governments have expressed concerns about the potential for civil war, leading to significant displacement of people. Urgent calls for restraint highlight the precariousness of the situation, with Machar’s detention seen as potentially destabilizing for the nation.

Original Source: www.dw.com