South Sudan urged to end detentions of opposition leaders, IGAD calls for release

South Sudan's government has arrested at least 22 political and military officials, primarily those affiliated with opposition leader Riek Machar, raising serious human rights concerns. Human Rights Watch called for the immediate release of these detainees and adherence to due process, highlighting the arrests' contribution to instability in an already fragile political landscape. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has urged the South Sudanese government to release the detained officials and restore standard security arrangements to prevent further escalation of tensions. The arrests coincide with violent clashes in Upper Nile, where armed groups, including the White Army, are engaged in conflict with government forces, jeopardizing the lasting peace established by a 2018 agreement. Government officials have justified the arrests, claiming some detainees were involved in illegal activities, but critics argue these actions are politically motivated. The international community is being called upon to intervene and pressure the South Sudanese authorities to cease these arbitrary detentions.