South Sudan’s Vice President, Riek Machar, is reportedly under house arrest, sparking international concern. The United States has urged President Salva Kiir to release him amid rising political tensions in the country.
According to Reath Muoch Tang, a senior official of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), Machar is being held at his residence along with his wife and two bodyguards. The government has accused him of being involved in recent clashes between the military and the White Army militia in Nasir, Upper Nile State. These clashes, which took place earlier this month, have raised fears of escalating violence in the region.
Machar’s political party, SPLM-IO, has strongly denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. The party insists that he had no role in the violence and that his detention violates the peace agreement signed between Machar and Kiir in 2018. The agreement was meant to end years of civil war and establish a unity government, but tensions between the two leaders have remained high.
The United States, along with other international partners, has called on South Sudan’s leadership to respect the terms of the peace deal. The U.S. government has emphasized that restricting Machar’s movement undermines efforts to maintain stability and could jeopardize the country’s fragile peace. Washington has also warned that failure to uphold the agreement could lead to diplomatic consequences, including possible sanctions.
South Sudan has been struggling with political instability since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. The country descended into civil war in 2013, with fighting between forces loyal to Kiir and those supporting Machar. The conflict led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions. While the 2018 peace deal brought relative calm, political tensions continue to threaten long-term stability.
Machar’s reported house arrest raises serious concerns about the future of South Sudan’s leadership and peace process. His party has called on regional and international bodies, including the African Union and the United Nations, to intervene and ensure his immediate release.
As pressure mounts, it remains to be seen how President Kiir’s administration will respond to calls for Machar’s freedom. The situation highlights the ongoing political struggles within South Sudan and the challenges the country faces in achieving lasting peace.
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