S. Sudanese Vice President Under House Arrest

Juba – Radio Tamazuj- Sudanhorizon

South Sudanese security forces on Wednesday placed First Vice President and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar under house arrest in Juba, amid escalating political tensions, raising fears of a relapse to civil war.
Reath Tang, acting chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) Foreign Relations Committee, told Radio Tamazuj that senior security officials, including Defense Minister General Chol Thon Palok, delivered a missive announcing Machar’s house arrest.
“The security forces arrived and expelled everyone from the compound. The defense minister left, but several security vehicles remain in the residential compound,” he said.
He added, “Technically, Dr. Machar is currently under house arrest, but security officials initially tried to take him away.”
For his part, Pal Mai Deng, spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that First Vice President Riek Machar had been placed under house arrest.
He continued, “With deep concern, I confirm that the First Vice President and leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, Dr. Riek Machar, has been placed under house arrest. This is a regrettable step and violates the revitalized peace agreement.”
Pal, who also serves as Minister of Water and Irrigation under the power-sharing agreement, warned that the decision by the security forces and President Salva Kiir undermines the progress made under the 2018 peace agreement.
He said that Dr. Machar returned to Juba under pressure from regional and international leaders to promote peace and stability in South Sudan. He accused the international community of failing to pressurize President Kiir to implement the 2018 peace agreement.
He said, “The international community has an obligation to ensure Dr. Riek’s physical safety, and any action that would compromise his physical safety would be an obstacle to future national recovery and reconciliation in South Sudan.”
He explained that Dr. Machar was informed that he should be placed under house arrest, and was later informed by the same security officials that he would be removed from his home.
Radio Tamazuj was unable to immediately reach government spokesman Michael Makuei for comment.
Security forces were deployed around Machar’s residence in early March, although he was still able to go to his office.

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