The South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation briefed foreign diplomats, including the United Nations representative in the country, about the ongoing investigation of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and his detained officials.
According to a statement issued by his office, Minister
Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc briefed diplomats on Wednesday.
The ongoing investigation involves First Vice President Dr.
Machar, Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chol, and other SPLM/IO officials,
focusing on their roles in the events in Nasir. Goc assured a transparent
investigation.
“The government would conduct the investigation
transparently and, if sufficient evidence of culpability is found, there would
be a transparent trial,” the statement reads.
Goc briefed the diplomats on South Sudan's current situation
and R-ARCSS implementation progress, reaffirming the government's commitment,
especially to the security arrangements.
He emphasized that the government believes there is no
military solution to the current issues.
"The Government of South Sudan is committed to using
political means to resolve political issues,” Goc stated.
Goc assured the government's commitment to de-escalate
tension and maintain peace following recent events in Nasir, Upper Nile, and
other parts of the country.
He urged the international community to support lifting the
arms embargo, stressing that it hinders the government's ability to
professionalize security forces and maintain stability.
On March 26, 2025, President Salva Kiir placed Dr. Machar
under house arrest for allegedly inciting his politicians and army to rebel
against the government, putting him "in conflict with the law" after
more than 20 of his officials were already detained in connection to the Nasir
conflict.
The arrest of SPLM-IO officials, including Dr. Machar,
resulted from escalating conflict in the Upper Nile between government forces
and the White Army, causing civilian casualties and displacement.
Despite SPLM-IO's claim that Machar's arrest and ongoing
clashes violate the 2017 cessation of hostilities agreement brings the peace
deal to collapse, Government spokesperson Michael Makuei reaffirmed the
agreement is not dead.
He urged SPLM-IO members who fled to return, emphasizing that only Machar is in conflict with the law, not the entire SPLM-IO.
This ongoing crisis has raised fears of the 2018 peace
agreement collapsing, potentially pushing South Sudan back into full-scale
civil war if de-escalation and dialogue do not take place.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, plunged into
conflict in 2013, just two years after gaining independence from Sudan on July
9, 2011.
Fragmented rebellions, along with ethnic and communal
violence, have since plagued the country, hindering peace efforts and stalling
economic and infrastructural development.
Fourteen years after independence, the country continues to struggle with stability, with national elections now scheduled for December 2026, provided the peace agreement holds.
