Juba, South Sudan — March 27, 2025
The United Nations has issued a grave warning over the risk of renewed conflict in South Sudan following unconfirmed reports that Vice President Riek Machar has been arrested by security forces in the capital, Juba.
According to diplomatic sources and civil society leaders who spoke on condition of anonymity, Machar was allegedly detained late Tuesday evening at his residence in Juba by elements of the National Security Service. While the government has yet to confirm or deny the reports, tension has risen sharply across the country, particularly in Unity, Jonglei, and Upper Nile states — regions historically loyal to Machar.
UN Statement Raises Alarm
In a strongly worded statement released Wednesday morning, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed "deep concern" over the deteriorating political environment and warned that the arrest — if confirmed — could unravel the fragile peace deal signed in 2018 and threaten the upcoming elections slated for December 2025.
“The arrest or forced disappearance of Vice President Riek Machar would constitute a grave violation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and could plunge the country back into violent conflict,” said Nicholas Haysom, the UN Special Representative in South Sudan.
“We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint and prioritize dialogue over confrontation.”
Government Silent, SPLM-IO Officials Furious
While government officials have remained tight-lipped, leaders within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), the party headed by Machar, have condemned what they describe as a “politically motivated move aimed at silencing dissent.” In a press briefing held in Nairobi, Kenya, SPLM-IO spokesperson Puok Both Baluang called for Machar’s immediate release and accused President Salva Kiir’s administration of sabotaging the peace process.
“This is an act of provocation. We will not sit back while our leader is targeted and humiliated. The international community must intervene immediately,” Baluang stated.
Rising Tensions and Military Movements
Eyewitnesses in Juba reported a heavy deployment of security personnel around key installations, including the State House and army barracks. There were also reports of SPLA-IO commanders in the Greater Upper Nile region placing their forces on high alert.
In Bentiu, capital of Unity State, several hundred youths took to the streets demanding answers about Machar’s whereabouts, leading to clashes with local police. At least three people were injured, according to hospital sources.
Regional and International Reactions
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which brokered the 2018 peace agreement, has called an emergency meeting of heads of state to assess the situation. Meanwhile, the African Union and several Western embassies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have urged calm and demanded clarification from the South Sudanese government.
“The arrest of a sitting vice president, if true, represents a dangerous escalation,” said Molly Phee, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. “We call on all parties to uphold the spirit and letter of the peace agreement and ensure transparency and justice.”
Background: A Fragile Peace
South Sudan has been navigating a delicate path since the 2018 peace deal ended five years of brutal civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people and displaced millions. The agreement brought together President Salva Kiir and former rebel leader Riek Machar in a unity government, but implementation has been slow, and trust between the parties remains weak.
With elections scheduled for later this year — the first since independence in 2011 — political tensions have been mounting, and analysts warn that the arrest of Machar could derail the electoral process and plunge the nation into another cycle of violence.
What’s Next?
As the nation waits for official confirmation, international observers fear the worst. The UN has reportedly begun reinforcing protection around civilian sites and peacekeeping outposts in volatile regions.
“If this issue is not resolved diplomatically and urgently,” warned South Sudanese analyst Peter Biar Ajak, “we could be witnessing the beginning of a very dark chapter in South Sudan’s history.”
The world watches anxiously as Juba remains on edge and the future of South Sudan hangs in the balance.
