Riek Machar, South Sudan’s First Vice President, was arrested, prompting fears of escalating conflict. Machar’s party condemned his detention, and the UN warned the nation is near war. Fighting has displaced 50,000 people, and foreign governments have closed embassies due to insecurity.

The arrest of South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, in Juba has raised serious concerns about the potential escalation of conflict in the nation. According to a statement from Machar’s party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), he was detained by a significant military presence, including 20 heavily armed vehicles. The SPLM-IO has vehemently condemned this action as unconstitutional, describing the charges against Machar as ambiguous.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has indicated that this arrest puts the nation on the precipice of war. Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, has urged leaders to make choices that could either lead to further conflict or pave the way for peace, recovery, and democracy in the country.

Tensions have reportedly escalated, with skirmishes occurring between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with Machar in the past day. The United Nations has expressed concerns regarding the resurgence of civil war in South Sudan as foreign governments, including Norway and Germany, have preemptively closed their embassies due to the worsening security situation. Approximately 50,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes in Upper Nile since last month as a result of the ongoing violence.

The arrest of Riek Machar highlights the fragile political landscape in South Sudan, presenting imminent risks of renewed conflict. As tensions intensify between rival factions, the international community remains concerned about the humanitarian consequences, including mass displacement. UNMISS has called for restraint and emphasized the importance of selecting leadership approaches that favor peace over violence.

Original Source: www.dw.com