Tensions Rise in South Sudan as Vice President Riek Machar is Placed Under House Arrest

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South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar has been placed under house arrest, raising concerns about a potential return to civil war, according to his party and the United Nations. Machar’s detention, which occurred during a military raid involving more than 20 armed vehicles, follows escalating armed clashes between government forces and the White Army militia loyal to Machar. His party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), claims his arrest effectively collapses the peace agreement established in 2018 to end the previous civil war, which resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths.

The UN Human Rights Commission warned that failure to uphold peace agreement protections could lead to catastrophic escalations in violence. Pal Mai Deng, SPLM-IO spokesperson, stated in a video message that Machar’s life is in danger during his confinement, and Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, deputy chair of SPLM-IO, emphasized that the power-sharing agreement with President Salva Kiir is in jeopardy. The situation is further complicated by ongoing violence, including recent attacks by the White Army that have resulted in military casualties. The United States and regional organizations have called for Machar's release and the cessation of hostilities.

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