Detention of the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU), expressed deep concern at the detention of the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Dr. Riek Machar. Dr. Riek Machar is a prominent South Sudanese politician and former military leader, best known for his role in the country's turbulent political landscape since its independence in 2011. Machar joined the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in the 1980s and became a key figure in the struggle for South Sudan's autonomy and independence. Over the years, he held various positions within the movement. Following South Sudan's independence in 2011, tensions increased between Machar and President Salva Kiir, primarily over political power and governance issues. In December 2013, these tensions escalated into violent conflict, leading to a civil war characterized by ethnic divisions and widespread atrocities. The civil war resulted in severe humanitarian crises, including famine and mass displacement. Machar and Kiir signed several peace agreements, most notably the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) in 2015, which aimed to end the violence and establish a power-sharing arrangement. However, implementation faced numerous challenges, and fighting continued intermittently. After a period of renewed conflict, a new peace agreement was reached in September 2018, leading to the formation of a transitional government in February 2020. Machar returned to the unity government as First Vice President alongside President Kiir. Machar's role remains influential in South Sudan's politics. However, the country faces ongoing challenges, including economic difficulties, insecurity, and the slow implementation of peace agreements. The war in Sudan has been raging since April 2023, as rival factions of the ruling military fight in the capital, Khartoum, and other regions of the country. The African Union underscores the need for all parties to de-escalate the situation and uphold the spirit and letter of the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which remains the cornerstone of sustainable peace and forms the foundation for stability and national reconciliation. The welfare of the South Sudanese people must be the top priority, and all efforts must be directed towards creating an environment conducive to lasting peace and development. The African Union has expressed its solidarity with the people of South Sudan. @Afrcan Union