House Arrest Imposed on South Sudan's First Vice President
On Wednesday night, South Sudanese First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest in the national capital, Juba, prompting the United Nations mission in the country to urge restraint among all parties involved. "Following reports...
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On Wednesday night, South Sudanese First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest in the national capital, Juba, prompting the United Nations mission in the country to urge restraint among all parties involved.
"Following reports tonight of the detention of First Vice President Riek Machar, the UN Mission in South Sudan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold the Revitalized Peace Agreement," stated Nicholas Haysom, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General to South Sudan and head of UNMISS.
Haysom expressed concerns that unilateral amendments to the agreement could threaten the hard-earned progress of the past seven years, risking a return to war. "This will not only devastate South Sudan but also affect the entire region," he warned in his statement released Wednesday night.
He urged all parties to stop hostilities immediately and engage in constructive dialogue, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the interests of their people during this critical juncture for the nation. "Tonight, the country's leaders stand on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict or taking the country forward toward peace, recovery, and democracy in the spirit of the consensus that was reached in 2018 when they signed and committed to implementing a Revitalized Peace Agreement," he noted.
Reath Muoch Tang, acting chairperson of the National Committee on Foreign Relations for the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, denounced the arrest as a violation of the 2018 peace agreement that established the unity government. Tang disclosed that the defense minister and the chief of national security were part of the convoy that delivered the arrest warrant to Machar, which arrived with more than 20 heavily armed vehicles that forcibly entered his home.
"His bodyguards were disarmed, and an arrest warrant was delivered to him under unclear charges. Attempts are currently being made to relocate him," Tang stated in a Wednesday night press release. He characterized the arrest as a "blatant" violation of both the constitution and the Revitalized Peace Agreement, noting that no legal procedures, such as lifting his immunity, were followed.
Earlier that day, UNMISS issued a separate statement calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and for urgent dialogue among the country’s leaders to de-escalate tensions and restore calm. Reports indicated that in the 24 hours prior, clashes had occurred between the South Sudan People's Defense Forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition near Juba, according to the UN.
"We encourage the president and first vice president to lead efforts to prevent further military confrontation and restore calm by meeting to resolve differences and making a joint public statement reassuring all South Sudanese of their shared commitment to peace," Haysom urged.
The UN mission also reported ongoing volatility in Upper Nile State, citing increased mobilization of armed forces and aerial bombardments of civilian areas using explosive devices that contain highly flammable liquid, leading to significant casualties and severe injuries.
Intensive diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway to facilitate a peaceful resolution. South Sudan, which gained its independence in 2011, had signed a peace agreement in 2018 that concluded a civil war between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and Machar, which resulted in nearly 400,000 deaths.
Long-standing relations between Kiir and Machar, who have been significant figures in South Sudanese politics for decades, remain tense. The recent clashes and political unrest have created anxiety among citizens and the international community.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
"Following reports tonight of the detention of First Vice President Riek Machar, the UN Mission in South Sudan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold the Revitalized Peace Agreement," stated Nicholas Haysom, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General to South Sudan and head of UNMISS.
Haysom expressed concerns that unilateral amendments to the agreement could threaten the hard-earned progress of the past seven years, risking a return to war. "This will not only devastate South Sudan but also affect the entire region," he warned in his statement released Wednesday night.
He urged all parties to stop hostilities immediately and engage in constructive dialogue, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the interests of their people during this critical juncture for the nation. "Tonight, the country's leaders stand on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict or taking the country forward toward peace, recovery, and democracy in the spirit of the consensus that was reached in 2018 when they signed and committed to implementing a Revitalized Peace Agreement," he noted.
Reath Muoch Tang, acting chairperson of the National Committee on Foreign Relations for the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, denounced the arrest as a violation of the 2018 peace agreement that established the unity government. Tang disclosed that the defense minister and the chief of national security were part of the convoy that delivered the arrest warrant to Machar, which arrived with more than 20 heavily armed vehicles that forcibly entered his home.
"His bodyguards were disarmed, and an arrest warrant was delivered to him under unclear charges. Attempts are currently being made to relocate him," Tang stated in a Wednesday night press release. He characterized the arrest as a "blatant" violation of both the constitution and the Revitalized Peace Agreement, noting that no legal procedures, such as lifting his immunity, were followed.
Earlier that day, UNMISS issued a separate statement calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and for urgent dialogue among the country’s leaders to de-escalate tensions and restore calm. Reports indicated that in the 24 hours prior, clashes had occurred between the South Sudan People's Defense Forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition near Juba, according to the UN.
"We encourage the president and first vice president to lead efforts to prevent further military confrontation and restore calm by meeting to resolve differences and making a joint public statement reassuring all South Sudanese of their shared commitment to peace," Haysom urged.
The UN mission also reported ongoing volatility in Upper Nile State, citing increased mobilization of armed forces and aerial bombardments of civilian areas using explosive devices that contain highly flammable liquid, leading to significant casualties and severe injuries.
Intensive diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway to facilitate a peaceful resolution. South Sudan, which gained its independence in 2011, had signed a peace agreement in 2018 that concluded a civil war between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and Machar, which resulted in nearly 400,000 deaths.
Long-standing relations between Kiir and Machar, who have been significant figures in South Sudanese politics for decades, remain tense. The recent clashes and political unrest have created anxiety among citizens and the international community.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
