As South Sudan teeters on the edge of a potential civil unrest, African Union mediators have arrived in Juba, the nation’s capital, in an effort to prevent further escalation. This comes in the wake of First Vice President Riek Machar’s recent placement under house arrest.
The government, led by President Salva Kiir, has accused Machar, a previous military opposition leader during the 2013-2018 conflict that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands, of instigating a new rebellion.
January saw violent clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, under Kiir’s leadership, and Machar’s opposition party’s armed faction, reigniting fears of a resurgence of civil war.

The renewed cycle of violence has instilled a pervasive sense of dread among the populace, reminiscent of the civil war that concluded with a peace agreement in 2018.

The transitional government has expressed its dedication to maintaining peace. “The sole objective of the RTGoNU (Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity) is to cease hostilities, establish a revitalized national unity government, thereby restoring security and ensuring sustainable peace within the nation,” stated Martin Elia Lomuro, South Sudan’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs, during discussions with the African Union mediators.
Machar’s opposition party is urging President Kiir to instigate the release of their detained leader.