South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar has been arrested in Juba, raising fears of escalating conflict. UNMISS warns that the country is on the brink of war, while recent clashes have displaced over 50,000 people. Foreign nations have closed their embassies due to heightened tensions.
Riek Machar, the First Vice President of South Sudan, has been arrested in Juba, as confirmed by the chairman of his party’s Foreign Relations Committee. The arrest involved a significant display of force, with “20 heavily armed vehicles” present, and has drawn strong condemnation from Machar’s SPLM-IO party, labeling the charges against him as “unclear.”
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has indicated that this arrest places the nation on the verge of renewed conflict. Nicholas Haysom, the head of UNMISS, stated that the nation stands at a critical juncture, emphasizing the need for leaders to choose between escalation into widespread conflict or fostering peace and democracy.
Recent clashes between the factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with Machar have occurred, leading to significant unrest. The United Nations reported that approximately 50,000 individuals have been displaced due to ongoing violence in the Upper Nile region. Additionally, impending crises prompted Norway and Germany to temporarily close their embassies in South Sudan following weeks of heightened tensions between government forces and affiliated militias.
The arrest of South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar has raised serious concerns regarding the potential for escalating conflict in the nation. With significant troop presence during the arrest and recent clashes, international entities such as the UN are emphasizing the urgent need for restraint. The displacement of thousands underscores the pressing humanitarian implications amidst the unstable political climate.
Original Source: www.dw.com
