The East African bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has urged on March 12 the South Sudanese Government to release detained officials and lift security restrictions to prevent escalating factional tensions from leading to renewed conflict.
The call comes after the arrest of key figures, including a deputy military chief and two ministers allied with First Vice-President Riek Machar, last week in the capital, Juba.
These arrests, combined with deadly clashes near the northern town of Nasir, have raised concerns that the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement could be jeopardized.
In a virtual meeting of Heads of State, IGAD emphasized the need for transparency in any legal proceedings and called for the restoration of standard security measures. Despite accusations from the Government that Machar’s forces collaborated with the White Army militia in the recent clashes, Machar’s party has denied the allegations.
The situation remains tense, with 20 individuals still in custody, although several others have been released. These developments have heightened fears of a potential return to the civil war that had devastated South Sudan for five years.
The South Sudanese government, which has not yet commented on IGAD’s statement, continues to accuse Machar’s supporters of inciting violence. While Machar’s movements have been restricted with troops stationed around his residence, his spokesperson confirmed that he remains able to perform his duties. The ongoing situation underlines the fragility of the peace process and the urgent need for regional intervention to stabilise the nation.