First Vice-President of South Sudan, Riek Machar has been placed under house arrest, according to his party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement In Opposition (SPLM/IO). The move was carried out by an armed convoy led by top security officials, including the defense minister, who entered Machar’s residence in Juba late on Wednesday and disarmed his bodyguards.
Machar’s wife, Angelina Teny, who serves as the country’s interior minister, was also detained alongside him. An arrest warrant was reportedly delivered to Machar, though the charges remain unclear. This action has been condemned by his party as a “blatant violation of the constitution and the Revitalized Peace Agreement.”
The situation follows weeks of rising tensions between Machar and President Salva Kiir, which have raised concerns of a return to civil war. The UN has warned that South Sudan is on the brink of renewed conflict, emphasizing the need for leaders to uphold the peace agreement signed in 2018. The international community, including the U.S. and British governments, has urged caution and called for the release of Machar.
In response to the escalating tensions, several foreign embassies have scaled down their operations.
The Norwegian and German embassies have closed their operations in Juba, while the U.S. and British embassies have reduced their diplomatic staff and advised their citizens to leave the country.
Renewed clashes between forces loyal to the two leaders in the northern town of Nasir have further heightened concerns about the stability of the region.
Source: BBC
