Regional Bodies Urge Restraint as South Sudan's Machar Under House Arrest

The recent house arrest of South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar has raised alarms among regional bodies and the United Nations, with calls for immediate action to prevent further escalation of tensions in the country. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), alongside the UN mission in South Sudan, has warned that such developments threaten the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and could lead to a relapse into full-scale war. Kenya's government has echoed these concerns, urging all parties to prioritize peace and adhere to existing agreements, emphasizing the need for restraint among South Sudanese leaders. Reports indicate that Machar and his wife were placed under house arrest following an armed intervention by security officials. The situation remains tense, with ongoing violence reported between rival forces near Juba. The UN has called on President Salva Kiir to reverse the arrest and prevent further escalation, underscoring the critical juncture at which South Sudan finds itself.