South Sudan’s government has confirmed that First Vice President Riek Machar is under arrest and will be investigated, sparking concerns that the country may plunge back into war.
Machar, a longtime rival of President Salva Kiir, was detained on Wednesday, prompting international calls for restraint.
The government accuses Machar of seeking to launch a rebellion against the government, aiming to disrupt peace and prevent elections.
However, Machar’s party denies these allegations and claims that his detention has voided a 2018 peace deal that ended a five-year civil war.
The situation has raised concerns globally, with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning that the peace process is in shambles. Neighboring Kenya has sent its former prime minister, Raila Odinga, as a special envoy to defuse tensions.
Western countries, including the United States, Britain, and Germany, have closed embassies or cut back operations in South Sudan due to the escalating tensions.
