The SPLM-IO has said the house arrest of its leader, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, means the Revitalized Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which brought to an end the civil war in South Sudan, has effectively collapsed.
A Thursday press release signed by First Deputy Speaker of the National Legislature and Deputy Chairman of the SPLM/SPLA-IO, Oyet Nathaniel, titled “the unlawful arrest and detention of H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny.” Dr. Machar’s detention derails the prospects of peace.
“The arrest and detention of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny effectively brings the Agreement to a collapse, thus the prospect for Peace and Stability in South Sudan has now been put into serious jeopardy,” the statement reads in part. “Consequently, we would like to declare that with the arrest and detention of HE Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the R-ARCSS, 2018 has been abrogated. This arrest by President Salva Kiir is an act of deceit, breaking promises, dishonoring Agreements, lack of Political will to bring peace and stability in the Country.”
“We would like to also inform the public about the ongoing air and ground military attacks on Cantonments sites and training centers of Wunliet, Aswa and Rejaf training Centre respectively, which constitute a serious violation and breakdown of the Permanent Ceasefire and the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) 2017,” the statement added.
The opposition outfit called upon the members of IGAD, IGAD Partners forum, AU, C5 Countries, and the UN, to protect the R-ARCSS and ensure the safety and immediate release of Dr. Machar, his wife Angelina Teny, who is also the interior minister, and all other political detainees without any precondition.
“We also call upon members of the SPLM/SPLA-IO and the general public to remain steadfast, calm and vigilant as diplomatic efforts to ensure the release of H.E. First Vice President, and the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/SPLA-10 and other political detainees are underway,” the statement said.
According to the statement, all the protocol and close protection of the First Vice President have also been arrested and moved to separate locations.