South Sudan opposition leader and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has been arrested in Juba by National security and army personnel.
The first deputy speaker in the National legislative assembly, Nathaniel Oyet has confirmed the arrest saying that the move is putting 2018 peace deal in its death bed.
In a statement, Oyet stated that at around 9:46 pm senior security personnel from the national security and army under order from the president Salva Kiir put Machar and his wife under house arrest.
“senior securitypersonnel from the National Security Services, Tiger Division and the SSPDF, actingunder the directives of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, breached the residence of H.E Dr.Riek Machar Teny, the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan andthe Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/SPLA-IO, and put him and hiswife Hon.Angelina Teny, the Minister of Interior of the Republic of South Sudanunder house arrest in Juba,” he said.
He added that all the protocol and close protection of the First VicePresident have also been arrested and moved to separate locations.
Deputy speaker cited tha unlawfult detention principal signatory to 2018 peace agreement could jeopardize peace and subsequently collapse of the singed agreement.
“The arrest and detention of H.E Dr.Riek Machar Teny effectivelybrings the Agreement to a collapse thus the prospect for Peace and Stability inSouth Sudan has now been put into serious jeopardy,” Oyet noted.
” Consequently, we would liketo declare that with the arrest and detention of H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny the R-ARCSS, 2018 has been abrogated” he continued.
Lawmaker explained that the arrest by President Salva Kiir is an act of deceit, breaking promises, dishonoring Agreements, lack of Political will to bringpeace and stability in the Country.
Oyet, who is also the deputy chairman of SPLM/A-IO asserted that the ongoing military attack on their military sites is a clear indication that 2017 ceasefire agreement has been broken.
“We would like to also inform the public about the ongoing air and ground militaryattacks on Cantonments sites and training centres of Wunliet, Aswa and Rejaftraining Centre respectively, which constitute a serious violation and breakdown ofthe Permanent Ceasefire and the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) 2017,”
He 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 the first vice president, Dr. Riek Machar.
“We also call upon members of the SPLM/SPLA-IO and the general public to remainsteadfast,calm and vigilant as diplomatic efforts to ensure the release H.E First VicePresident, and the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/SPLA-IO andother political detainees are underway,”
However, the government of South Sudan is yet to respond to the claims.
