South Sudan’s Peace Agreement in Jeopardy Following Arrest of Vice President Riek Machar
The political landscape in South Sudan has been thrust into turmoil after the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, a development that the main opposition party asserts has effectively nullified the 2018 peace agreement.
Arrest of Riek Machar
On March 26, 2025, security forces detained Riek Machar, a pivotal figure in South Sudan’s political arena and leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). The arrest occurred after defense and national security officials forcibly entered Machar’s residence, presenting an arrest warrant. He is currently held alongside his wife and two bodyguards, facing accusations related to recent military clashes in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
Opposition’s Response and Peace Deal Collapse
The SPLM-IO has condemned Machar’s detention, declaring that it signifies the collapse of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which ended the devastating civil war from 2013 to 2018. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, the party’s deputy chairperson, stated that the arrest demonstrates a lack of political will to maintain peace and stability in the nation.
International Concerns and Calls for Restraint
The international community has expressed profound concern over these developments. The United Nations has warned that South Sudan is on the brink of returning to widespread conflict, emphasizing that escalating violence could reignite ethnic tensions reminiscent of the previous civil war. The U.S. Department of State has urged President Salva Kiir to release Machar, highlighting the risk of renewed hostilities and the potential derailment of the fragile peace process.
Background: Nasir Clashes and Political Tensions
The arrest follows a series of violent clashes in Nasir, where government forces and militias aligned with Machar’s SPLM-IO engaged in deadly confrontations. These incidents resulted in significant casualties and the displacement of approximately 50,000 individuals. The government’s subsequent airstrikes in the region have further exacerbated tensions, raising fears of a full-scale return to conflict.
Conclusion
The detention of Vice President Riek Machar marks a critical juncture for South Sudan, placing the nation’s hard-won peace agreement in jeopardy. As political tensions escalate, the international community continues to call for dialogue and restraint to prevent a relapse into the devastating conflict that previously engulfed the young nation.
Source : Swifteradio.com
