Arrest of South Sudan's VP Sparks Conflict Fears

The arrest of South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar has heightened tensions in the already fragile nation. A convoy of armored vehicles reportedly entered Machar's residence in Juba, leading to his detention and the disarmament of his bodyguards.

This move has been condemned by Machar's party as unconstitutional, with the charges against him remaining unclear. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has warned of a potential return to civil war, urging all parties to exercise restraint.

The renewed conflict threatens the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a five-year civil war that claimed 400,000 lives. As violence escalates, over 50,000 people have been displaced, and international embassies have begun reducing staff and advising citizens to evacuate.

The situation poses risks not just to South Sudan but to the stability of the entire region.