JUBA – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) warns that the country is reoccurring into widespread conflict after its first vice president, Dr. Riek Machar, was placed under house arrest on Wednesday.
Reports from Juba show that VP Machar and his wife, Angelina Teny, were placed under house arrest. Details of his security have been removed from his residence, with only his personal security guard, Mark Diu.
Earlier in the day, President Salva Kir ordered an immediate halt of all military operations by the country’s military and the UPDF. The UPDF is being deployed in South Sudan under Operation Mlinzi Wa Kimya.
The development follows a demand from South Sudan President Salva Kir to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and calls for urgent support to stabilize the country after an updated conflict erupts.
Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, land commander of the Ugandan Republican Defence Force (UPDF), told Gar’s departure forces last week that it is expected to strengthen peacekeeping efforts and prevent further escalation of the country’s violence.
It reportedly took place this week between the South Sudanian Rebel Force (SSPDF) and the Sudanian People’s Liberation Army in the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA-IO) near Rejaf, south of Juba, and Unaliet, west of the capital. Reports show that Ugandan Army UPDF is involved in the battle.
The situation in the Upper Nile remains unstable, with reports of further military mobilization and air fire in civilian areas, using devices containing highly flammable liquids that act as an acceleration in the explosion, and are said to cause serious casualties and horrific injuries.
We are concerned about reports that South Sudan’s first vice president, Machar, is under house arrest. We urge President KIIR to reverse this action and prevent further escalation of the situation. It is time for South Sudan’s leaders to demonstrate the integrity of their stated commitment to peace.
– March 27, 2025, Bureau of African Issues (@asstsecstateaf)
The UN mission previously called on all parties to take immediate steps to maintain their commitment under the ceasefire to protect civilians, prevent further evacuation, and avoid deepening the humanitarian crisis.
The Troika countries, Norway, the US and the UK, together with delegations from Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and the European Union, have offered to promote a direct meeting between President Kiel and First Vice President Machar.
“The collective message of the region and the international community is the same. I am sure there is only one way to get out of the conflict cycle: to return to a revived peace agreement with letters and spirit,” said Nicholas Haysom, the UN Secretary-General and special representative of the Secretary of Missis, in a joint statement issued in Juba on Monday.
Stop military operations
The Sudan Tribune ordered South Sudan President Salva Kir on Wednesday to immediately suspend all military operations by the country’s troops, according to a statement from his office.
Kiel, who is also the commander-in-chief of the military, directed the South Sudan Republican Defence Force (SSPDF) and the Allied Uganda Republican Defence Force (UPDF), and immediately halted hostilities.
“‘All forces under my command are therefore ordered to halt any form of attack or military operations against immediate forces,” the president’s statement said.
The statement did not provide further details regarding the implementation of any particular group targeted by the implementation of a ceasefire or halt of operations.
*****
A complete unmiss statement
Tonight, following the report of the detention of Dr. Riek Machar, the United Nations mission in South Sudan, we call on all political parties to exercise restraint and support a revived peace agreement.
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“Tonight, the country’s leaders are on the verge of recurring conflicts and moving the country towards peace, recovery and democracy in the spirit of consensus that reached 2018 when they signed and committed to implementing a revitalized peace agreement,” said the head of Unmiss, Nicholas Haysom.
“A unilateral amendment by parties to the contract that has worked hard to endanger profits over the past seven years risks bringing the country back to war. This will not only destroy South Sudan, but will affect the entire region as well.”
Unmiss once again urges the parties to immediately stop hostilities and engage in constructive dialogue that brings the greatest benefits of people at the forefront of this pivotal moment for the world’s latest nation
