In March 2025, South Sudan’s fragile peace was shattered when Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest by government forces. A convoy of over 20 heavily armed vehicles, led by top government officials, entered Machar’s residence in Juba, disarmed his bodyguards, and detained him and his wife, Interior Minister Angelina Teny, under unclear charges. This dramatic escalation has raised fears of a return to civil war in the world’s youngest nation.
The roots of this crisis trace back to South Sudan’s independence in 2011, which was soon followed by internal conflicts. Political tensions between President Salva Kiir, of the Dinka ethnic group, and Machar, a Nuer, led to a devastating civil war from 2013 to 2018, resulting in approximately 400,000 deaths and displacing millions. The 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) aimed to end hostilities by establishing a power-sharing government, with Machar reinstated as First Vice President in 2020.
Despite the peace agreement, tensions persisted. In early March 2025, clashes erupted in Nasir County between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Nuer White Army militia, a community-based group loyal to Machar. The White Army overran an army base, prompting government airstrikes and the arrest of opposition figures accused of supporting the militia. The SPLM-IO denied current links with the White Army, which they had allied with during the civil war.
The international community has expressed deep concern over these developments. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the situation is “darkly reminiscent” of the previous civil wars and urged South Sudanese leaders to prioritize peace and the well-being of their people. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has called for restraint, emphasizing the risk of the country relapsing into widespread conflict.
In response to Machar’s detention, his party declared the 2018 peace deal effectively collapsed, citing a lack of political goodwill toward peace and stability. This sentiment was echoed by international bodies, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which stated that Machar’s detention seriously undermines the peace agreement and risks plunging the country back into violent conflict.
The situation in Juba remains calm but tense, with citizens anxious about the potential for renewed violence. Memories of past conflicts in 2013, 2016, and 2018 are fresh, contributing to the apprehension. Reports of increased military activity and the presence of foreign troops from Uganda add to concerns about a full-blown conflict.
As South Sudan stands at this critical juncture, the international community continues to call for dialogue and restraint. The African Union has dispatched a delegation to deescalate the conflict, and regional leaders are urged to support a return to peace. The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether South Sudan can avert a return to the devastating violence that has plagued its past.
Gros News 
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