Machar's shocking arrest ignites tensions, threatens to unleash fresh wave of bloodshed

The detention of South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar has caused shock waves across the global community, with most warning that the action has effectively nullified the delicate 2018 peace agreement. Machar, one of President Salva Kiir's major competitors, was arrested in Juba after heavily armed troops broke into his compound.

A history of tensions

Machar and Kiir have a long and complicated past, with the two leaders having previously fought against each other in the South Sudanese Civil War. Machar, who has been Vice President of South Sudan since 2020, has been a dominant force in the politics of the country for decades. His relationship with Kiir has, however, been characterized by tensions, with the two leaders having radically different visions for the future of the country ¹.

International condemnation

The world has moved swiftly to condemn the arrest of Machar, with the U.S. and U.N. demanding his release. Germany and Norway have closed their embassies, and the UK and U.S. have reduced operations. Analysts predict that the nation is poised for fresh conflict, with Kiir's action being viewed as a blatant effort to seize power.

A region on high alert

The consequences of Machar's arrest are far-reaching beyond the borders of South Sudan. The region is already heightened, with surrounding states observing events in South Sudan closely. The African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have also made statements urging calm and restraint.