(Juba) – The ongoing house arrest of South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, has triggered significant concern over the country’s fragile peace agreement and the overall stability of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU).
On 26 March 2025, during a visit to Aweil in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State for the swearin -in of Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Bol Akoon Akoon, news broke that Dr. Machar had been placed under house arrest in his residence at Hai Amarat, Juba.
The operation was reportedly ordered by President Salva Kiir and carried out by senior security officials, including the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the Director of the Internal Security Bureau, and the Chief of Staff of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF). Military vehicles, including tanks and armoured units, surrounded Machar’s compound. Although no formal charges were presented during the 30-minute discussion, authorities allegedly linked Dr. Machar to armed clashes in Nasir County between the SSPDF and local White Army groups.
Following the arrest, the SSPDF—with reported support from Ugandan mercenaries—launched coordinated operations against SPLA-IO cantonment areas. Aerial bombardments were carried out in parts of Upper Nile and Equatoria regions.
Several high-profile SPLA-IO figures were arrested, including Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang, lawmaker Gatwech Lam, SPLA-IO acting chief of staff General Gabriel Duop Lam, and Lakes State Deputy Governor Dr. Isaiah Alfred Akol Mathiang.
The fallout from these actions has been severe. Hundreds of civilians have reportedly died in the violence. Thousands more have fled across borders to seek refuge, while others are struggling to survive within South Sudan amid a worsening humanitarian situation. Many citizens now face critical shortages of food, medicine, and shelter. In Juba, some residents are reportedly surviving on streetside meals as economic conditions worsen.
The continued detention of Dr. Machar without legal proceedings is being described by some political figures as a grave threat to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Critics argue the allegations made against Dr. Machar are politically motivated and aimed at undermining his influence, not at addressing national security concerns.
There are concerns that the current power struggle within the SPLM-In-Government is being resolved at the expense of ordinary South Sudanese. Some accuse ruling elites of manipulating state institutions and sidelining political rivals to consolidate control. The SPLM-IO, to which Dr. Machar belongs, maintains there is no legitimate case against him.
Three months after the arrest, the Council of Ministers has not convened, and Parliament has remained inactive, effectively paralysing the transitional government. Observers warn that the entire peace agreement could collapse unless urgent corrective action is taken.
Calls from regional and international actors—including the African Union, IGAD, the United Nations, and the European Union—have urged the South Sudanese government to release Dr. Machar and resume inclusive dialogue. Failure to act, they say, could isolate South Sudan further and erode gains made since the 2018 peace agreement.
Political commentators and SPLM-IO officials are now calling on President Kiir to use the upcoming Independence Day, 9 July 2025, as an opportunity to reset the peace process. They are urging him to release Dr. Machar and recommit to full implementation of the peace deal in both spirit and practice.
