The government of South Sudan will probe the First Vice President, Riek Machar, who is under arrest for trying to stir up rebellion despite peace talks led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

According to South Sudan’s government spokesperson and Information Minister, Michael Makuei, Machar and members of his Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLM-IO) party who are under arrest will be investigated and made to account for the alleged plot to overthrow the government. 

The Minister accused Machar of "agitating them to rebel against the government with the aim of disrupting peace so that elections are not held and South Sudan goes back to war."

This statement serves as a strong signal regarding President Salva Kiir’s intentions concerning Riek Machar. 

Raila Odinga with South Sudan President Salva Kiir during a meeting, March 28, 2025.

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Raila Odinga

The two leaders have maintained ties since the peace agreement reached in 2018, which aimed to resolve the five-year civil conflict between Kiir’s Dinka forces and the Nuer fighters loyal to Machar.

"The Peace Agreement has not collapsed and shall not under any circumstances," Makuei said.

It is unclear what Raila and Kenya’s influence will do to deter any escalation in hostilities, as warned by the United Nations this week. 

Raila, who was appointed Kenya’s envoy by President William Ruto, held talks with Kiir on Friday and said he was encouraged by the possibility of the conflict being resolved.

Machar's party said in a statement that the visit by Raila was a positive diplomatic development.

Machar was arrested on Wednesday after a convoy consisting of 20 heavily armed vehicles reportedly stormed his residence in Juba, where they disarmed his security personnel.

The US, through its Bureau of African Affairs, asked President Kiir to release Machar to stop any further escalations.

“We are concerned by reports that South Sudan's First Vice President, Machar, is under house arrest. We urge President Kiir to reverse this action and prevent further escalation of the situation,” the US said in a statement on X.

The UN fears a return to the civil war that saw many people displaced and others killed. 

"Let's not mince words: What we are seeing is darkly reminiscent of the 2013 and 2016 civil wars, which killed 400,000 people," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday.

First Vice President Riek Machar leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO)

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South Sudan News Agency