Collapse of South Sudan Peace Deal: Machar's Arrest Sparks Regional Concerns

The arrest of South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar has led to the collapse of the 2013-2018 peace agreement, raising fears of renewed civil war. The UN urges restraint, warning of regional impacts. Machar's detention underscores the fragile political environment and challenges to sustainable peace.

The house arrest of South Sudan's First Vice President, Riek Machar, has effectively nullified the fragile peace accords that ended the nation's civil war in 2018, according to his party's statement on Thursday.

Amid escalating tensions, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has appealed for moderation to prevent a slip back into widespread violence, which could have devastating impacts not only on South Sudan but also on the broader region, as stated in a recent communique.

South Sudan's political situation grows increasingly precarious with Machar's detention accused of being linked to supporting militia forces involved in recent clashes. Meanwhile, the international community, including the United States, calls for a commitment to peace and the release of Machar.

(With inputs from agencies.)