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| FVP Dr. Riek Machar |
JUBA, South Sudan March 27, 2025
South Sudan's political tensions have escalated dramatically following the arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar on March 26, 2025.
Government armed forces, reportedly led by the Minister of Defense and the Chief of National Security, surrounded Machar’s residence in Juba before taking him into custody.
FVP Dr.Riek personal security team was disarmed, and sources indicate that an arrest warrant had been issued, though the exact charges remain unclear.
Political Crackdown & Rising Tensions
Machar’s arrest follows a series of detentions of high-ranking officials affiliated with his Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO).
Earlier this month, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam were also taken into custody amid growing hostilities between Machar’s loyalists and forces aligned with President Salva Kiir.
The South Sudanese government has yet to provide a formal statement on the arrest, but political analysts believe this marks a critical turning point in the fragile 2018 peace agreement that ended the country’s brutal five-year civil war.
International Reactions & Fear of Conflict
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed deep concern, warning that the country is “on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict.”
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc that mediated the 2018 peace deal, has called for Machar’s immediate release and urged both sides to de-escalate tensions.
“The detention of senior political leaders at a time of national instability could fuel a dangerous cycle of violence,” said an IGAD spokesperson. “We urge South Sudan’s leadership to commit to dialogue rather than conflict.”
Is South Sudan Heading Back to War?
With the country set for elections in December 2025, the timing of Machar’s arrest has raised alarms about the government’s commitment to a peaceful democratic process.
The detention of FVP Dr. Riek could trigger backlash from his supporters, particularly in the Upper Nile and Jonglei regions, where clashes between national forces and the White Army militian.
Many South Sudanese fear a return to full-scale civil war, which previously claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Analysts warn that without urgent mediation, the situation could spiral out of control.
For now, the country watches anxiously as the fate of one of its most influential political figures hangs in the balance.
Stay Tuned for more Updates
Jubawire will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide real-time updates as more details emerge. Follow our blog for the latest news on South Sudan’s political developments.
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