JUBA, South Sudan — South Sudan’s primary opposition party declared on Thursday that the peace accord which concluded a protracted five-year civil war has unraveled. This announcement came on the heels of the arrest of opposition leader Riek Machar. The party’s deputy chairperson, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, released a statement indicating that the agreement has effectively been “abrogated,” suggesting that Machar’s arrest underscores an absence of political intent to achieve lasting peace and stability.
Earlier in the week, the United Nations cautioned that South Sudan was on the brink of a fresh civil conflict, following clashes in the northern regions between armed groups supportive of Machar and the government forces. This warning gained more urgency on Thursday when U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric noted that Machar’s detention is pushing the country closer to the verge of civil war and jeopardizing the fragile peace.
The situation is critical, as Dujarric emphasized, because allowing a relapse into civil war would be a grave mistake for the country. He called on South Sudanese leaders to prioritize the nation’s welfare. Nicholas Haysom, head of the U.N peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, urged all involved parties to exercise caution and adhere to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, emphasizing the importance of restoring Machar’s freedom.
South Sudan’s civil conflict, which resulted in the deaths of around 400,000 individuals, was brought to a halt in 2018 through a peace agreement incorporating President Salva Kiir and Machar into a unity government. Riek Machar serves as one of the nation’s five vice presidents. Machar is reportedly under government confinement, with opposition spokesperson Pal Mai Deng expressing concerns over his safety.
Tensions between the factions led by Kiir and Machar have been mounting, with a notable escalation occurring in March when the White Army, loyal to Machar, seized an army base and attacked a U.N. helicopter. In response, the government conducted airstrikes, cautioned civilians in the affected areas to evacuate, threatening unspecified consequences.
These airstrikes have resulted in over a dozen casualties since mid-March, and the U.N. has reiterated the risk of reverting to civil war should national leaders fail to place their focus on national interests. Nicholas Haysom highlighted that the country’s leaders are at a pivotal moment, faced with the choice of sliding back into conflict or advancing towards peace, recovery, and democracy.
An opposition figure reported the presence of heavily armed military vehicles at Machar’s residence, where both he and his wife were detained. According to Reath Muoch Tang, a member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Opposition, Machar’s bodyguards were disarmed, and an arrest warrant with unclear charges was served.
In response to the escalating tensions, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chair of the African Union Commission, announced the deployment of a team to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, aimed at reducing hostilities. The U.S. State Department also urged President Kiir to lift Machar’s house arrest and avoid worsening the situation further.
Chairperson of the U.N. commission on human rights in South Sudan, Yasmin Sooka, condemned the actions targeting opposition leaders and civilians as a flagrant disregard for international norms and the nation’s future. Earlier in March, the arrest of Machar’s allies prompted concerns over violations of the peace accord.
Owing to security concerns, Germany and Norway have temporarily closed their embassies in Juba, while the U.S. embassy has cut down its staff and advised American citizens in South Sudan to prepare for shelter should the conditions worsen. The British Embassy has also reduced its personnel, limiting consular services significantly.