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The United States has called on South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir to release First Vice President Riek Machar from house arrest, warning that the country risks sliding back into widespread conflict. The appeal, issued on March 27, 2025, by Washington’s Bureau of African Affairs, comes amid escalating tensions between Kiir’s government and Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) party.
Machar, a key figure in South Sudan’s fragile coalition government, was reportedly detained at his residence in Juba on Wednesday night. According to SPLM-IO officials, the arrest followed clashes between government forces and the White Army militia in Nasir, Upper Nile State, earlier this month. The militia, historically linked to Machar, has been accused of reigniting ethnic violence in the region. SPLM-IO leaders have denied any ongoing ties to the White Army, describing the arrest as unconstitutional and a violation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
The peace deal, signed in 2018, ended a brutal five-year civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Under the agreement, Kiir and Machar agreed to share power in a coalition government, with Machar serving as First Vice President alongside four other vice presidents. However, the deal has faced numerous setbacks, including delays in implementing key provisions such as national elections and the unification of rival forces into a single army.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed alarm over the situation, warning that the country stands on the brink of relapsing into conflict. UNMISS head Nicholas Haysom called for restraint and urged South Sudan’s leaders to recommit to the peace agreement. “Unilateral actions that jeopardize the hard-won gains of the past seven years risk plunging the country back into war,” Haysom stated.
The US Bureau of African Affairs echoed these concerns, urging Kiir to reverse Machar’s detention and prevent further escalation. “We are deeply concerned by reports that South Sudan’s First Vice President is under house arrest. It is time for the country’s leaders to demonstrate sincerity in their commitments to peace,” the bureau wrote in a statement.
Political analysts have described Machar’s detention as a major blow to the peace process, with some warning that the coalition government is on the verge of collapse. The SPLM-IO has accused Kiir’s administration of targeting its members, citing the recent arrests of several senior officials, including the petroleum minister and deputy army chief. These actions, coupled with rising hate speech and ethnic tensions, have fueled fears of a return to civil war.
The situation has also drawn international attention, with neighboring Uganda reportedly conducting airstrikes in South Sudan to prevent the conflict from spilling across its borders. Kenya, which has been mediating peace talks between Kiir and Machar, has suspended its efforts amid accusations and counter-accusations from both sides.
As tensions mount, the focus remains on preventing further violence and ensuring the safety of civilians. The fighting in Upper Nile has already displaced over 50,000 people, with many seeking refuge in overcrowded camps. Humanitarian organizations have warned of worsening conditions, including food shortages and disease outbreaks.
The US has called on South Sudan’s leaders to prioritize dialogue and put the interests of their people first. “The path to peace is not easy, but it is the only way forward,” the Bureau of African Affairs stated. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging all parties to uphold their commitments and work toward a peaceful resolution.