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The Nairobian

Western envoys urge South Sudan's Kiir to lift Machar house arrest

Africa

By Sharon Wanga | Mar 27, 2025

Western envoys on Thursday urged South Sudan President Salva Kiir to reverse the reported house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, warning the move risks fuelling fresh conflict in the fragile country.

In a statement on Thursday, March 27, the Embassies of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Delegation of the European Union said they were gravely concerned by reports that Machar had been placed under house arrest.

“We call on President Kiir to reverse this action and to prevent further escalation,” said the envoys in a joint statement.

They observed that Machar’s position in the transitional government is protected under Article 1.7.2 of the 2018 Peace Agreement, known as the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The diplomats further urged Kiir and leaders with influence over armed groups to order an immediate ceasefire and avoid actions that could derail the peace process.

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“We impress upon leaders of all parties the urgent need to engage without delay in direct dialogue and demonstrate the sincerity of their assertions that they are working for peace,” said the joint statement.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urgent dialogue among the country's leaders to ease tensions and restore calm.

The appeal follows reports of escalating violence involving the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO).

In the past 24 hours, clashes were reported near Rejaf, south of Juba, and at Wunaliet, west of the capital.

“To prevent a relapse into civil war, the parties must recommit to the Revitalised Peace Agreement by ceasing all hostilities and strictly adhering to the ceasefire, resolving grievances through dialogue and reconvening as a truly unified government,” said Nicholas Haysom, Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS.

“We encourage the President and First Vice President to lead efforts to prevent further military confrontation and restore calm by meeting to resolve differences and making a joint public statement reassuring all South Sudanese of their shared commitment to peace,” he added.

Haysom noted that the situation in Upper Nile remains volatile, with reports of further mobilisation of armed forces and aerial bombardment of civilian areas.

The envoys' rare public rebuke underscores growing international anxiety over South Sudan’s fragile transition and the slow implementation of the peace deal.

The 2018 R-ARCSS ended a five-year civil war that killed an estimated 400,000 people and displaced millions.

However, sporadic violence, political mistrust, and delayed reforms continue to threaten the country's stability.