South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, has been arrested and will face investigation, according to the country’s Information Minister, Michael Makuei, who made the announcement on Friday. The move comes amid a growing rift between Machar and President Salva Kiir, stoking fears that the tensions could drag the country back into war.
Machar’s reported house arrest on Wednesday sparked global concern, with the United Nations warning of a possible relapse into conflict. In response, Kenya has sent former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to South Sudan as a special envoy to help reduce tensions and encourage dialogue.
Machar’s party has expressed that his arrest undermines the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a devastating five-year civil war between Kiir’s Dinka forces and Machar’s Nuer faction. Despite the peace pact, the government has been slow to implement key measures, such as holding national elections and merging the two military factions into one unified army.
Makuei stated that Machar, along with his associates from the SPLM/A-IO, will be investigated and held accountable. He accused Machar of attempting to instigate a rebellion to disrupt peace efforts and prevent elections, which he suggested could lead to a return to conflict.
Machar’s party, however, denied these allegations and previously rejected claims that it supports the White Army, an ethnic militia of Nuer youths who recently clashed with government forces in the northeastern town of Nasir. These clashes have exacerbated the current crisis.
In response to the escalating violence, Kiir’s forces have detained several high-ranking figures from Machar’s party, including the petroleum minister and the deputy head of the army. There have also been recent skirmishes between forces loyal to both leaders around Juba.
Efforts to De-Escalate
Kenyan President William Ruto, who chairs the East African Community, has called for calm and engaged President Kiir over Machar’s detention. He has sent Odinga to South Sudan to mediate and help ease the situation. Odinga, confirmed to have arrived in Juba on Friday, was welcomed by Machar’s party, which emphasized the importance of de-escalating the conflict.
A spokesperson for the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, warned that Machar’s arrest brings South Sudan closer to the brink of a renewed civil war. The United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have reduced their diplomatic presence in the country, signaling deep international concern.
Ruto also consulted with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who recently deployed troops to South Sudan to assist with security, and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has previously hosted peace talks.
Political analysts suggest that Kiir’s moves to arrest Machar’s allies and invite foreign military support could be attempts to strengthen his political position, especially in light of waning oil revenues and the controversial appointment of Benjamin Bol Mel as second vice president.
As one expert pointed out, “Machar’s supposed control over the White Army is being used as a diversion from the real political crisis unfolding in Juba.”
The international community and internal political actors are closely monitoring the situation, which remains fragile and prone to escalation.