Riek Machar, South Sudan’s First Vice President, was arrested in Juba, provoking concerns of escalating conflict. The UN warns of the potential for renewed civil war, with clashes reported between government forces and Machar’s supporters. Approximately 50,000 people have been displaced due to ongoing tensions, prompting foreign governments to close embassies. UN officials call for restraint to avoid further deterioration of the situation.
Riek Machar, the First Vice President of South Sudan, has been arrested in Juba, as confirmed by the chairman of his party’s Foreign Relations Committee. The arrest involved twenty heavily armed vehicles, indicating a significant show of force. Machar’s party, the SPLM-IO, has denounced this action as unconstitutional and claimed the reasons for his arrest remain unclear.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has stated that this incident could push the nation towards further conflict. Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, emphasized the grave situation, indicating the leaders are at a critical juncture between falling back into widespread conflict or striving for peace and recovery. He urged all involved parties to demonstrate restraint.
Clashes have erupted between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those supporting Machar, exacerbating tension in the region. The UN has reported significant unrest, warning of a potential resurgence of civil war, which prompted foreign governments like Norway and Germany to temporarily close their embassies due to security concerns. It is estimated that around 50,000 individuals have been displaced in Upper Nile over the past month due to this ongoing conflict.
The recent arrest of South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, highlights escalating tensions in the country, with potential ramifications for peace and stability. The actions taken against Machar have drawn criticism for being unconstitutional and unclear. With increasing clashes and a substantial number of displaced persons, the international community is on alert for a possible resurgence of civil strife in South Sudan. Immediate calls for restraint from UNMISS underscore the urgent need for dialogue and peace.
Original Source: www.dw.com
