South Sudanese forces have arrested a high-ranking military official allied with First Vice President Riek Machar and deployed troops around Machar’s residence, raising fears over the stability of the country’s fragile 2018 peace agreement.
Machar’s spokesperson confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, warning that the move could jeopardize the peace accord that ended a brutal five-year civil war between Machar and President Salva Kiir. The conflict, which lasted from 2013 to 2018, claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions, leaving South Sudan in a state of prolonged instability.
While the 2018 agreement formally ended hostilities, tensions between Machar and Kiir’s factions have persisted, with sporadic violence erupting between rival communities and armed groups. The latest arrest has reignited concerns over deep-seated political divisions and the slow implementation of key provisions of the peace deal.
Observers fear that the military’s actions could lead to a broader political crisis, further delaying the country’s transition to full stability. The United Nations and regional mediators have repeatedly urged South Sudan’s leadership to uphold the peace agreement and avoid actions that could lead to renewed conflict.
The South Sudanese government has not yet issued a formal statement on the arrest or the military deployment near Machar’s residence. However, analysts warn that escalating tensions between the factions could derail preparations for long-delayed elections, which are seen as a crucial step toward consolidating peace in the world’s youngest nation.
As concerns grow, international stakeholders, including the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), are expected to intervene to prevent further destabilization.
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