Kenya Urges South Sudan to Avoid Conflict After Machar’s Detention

The Kenyan government has strongly urged all parties involved in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to take swift and decisive measures to prevent further violence.

This comes amid growing concerns over the fragile peace in South Sudan, which has been repeatedly shaken by political tensions and sporadic violence.

Kenya’s response follows a statement from the United Nations regarding the detention of South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.

Speaking on the matter, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, stressed the urgent need for all parties to uphold the terms of the peace agreement to prevent the country from sliding back into full-scale conflict.

“This is a very worrying situation. We strongly urge all parties that signed the R-ARCSS to step up their efforts to prevent a further escalation of hostilities,” Sing’oei said in an official statement on Thursday.

According to reports, heavily armed security forces stormed Machar’s residence in Juba, disarmed his guards, and took him into custody under unclear circumstances.

His detention is seen as a major development in the ongoing tensions between him and President Salva Kiir, putting additional pressure on their already fragile power-sharing deal.

Machar’s party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), has condemned his detention, warning that such actions put the delicate peace process at serious risk.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has also expressed deep concern over the situation, warning that the country is at risk of plunging back into civil war.

In its official statement, UNMISS urged all parties to remain committed to peace, cease hostilities, and adhere to the R-ARCSS to safeguard stability in the region.

“At this moment, South Sudanese leaders are at a critical crossroads. They must either pull the country back from the brink of renewed widespread conflict or guide it forward toward lasting peace, recovery, and democracy.

The decision they make now will define the future of South Sudan,” the UNMISS statement read in part.

“Any unilateral actions that undermine the hard-earned progress of the past seven years risk plunging the country back into war.

Such a situation would not only devastate South Sudan but also destabilize the entire East African region,” the statement added.

For years, Kenya has remained actively engaged in efforts to bring peace and stability to South Sudan.

The Kenyan government has consistently played a key role in diplomatic negotiations and mediation efforts, seeking to prevent a return to widespread conflict.

With tensions rising, Kenya’s latest appeal serves as a strong reminder of the urgent need for South Sudanese leaders to prioritize peace and stability over political rivalry.

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