In a shocking turn of events, South Sudan First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and his wife, Interior Minister Hon. Angelina Teny, were placed under house arrest in Juba by senior security personnel acting under President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s directives. The arrest occurred at 9:46 pm (CAT) on March 27, 2025, with all protocol and close protection personnel also detained and relocated.
This development has sparked widespread concern, as it potentially undermines the Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS) signed in 2018 to end the civil war in South Sudan. The agreement, brokered by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Dr. Machar, had brought a measure of stability to the war-torn nation.
“We call 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 H.E the First Vice President, Hon. Angelina Teny and all other political detainees without any precondition,” said Rt. Hon. Oyet Nathaniel Piening, First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and Deputy Chairman of SPLM-IO.
Piening further emphasized, “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 H.E First Vice President, and the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/SPLA-IO and other political detainees are underway.”
Condemnation and Calls for Action
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) has strongly condemned the arrest, labeling it an “act of deceit” and a “clear violation” of the peace agreement. The party has declared the R-ARCSS “abrogated” due to the arrest.
Escalating Tensions
Reports have also emerged of ongoing military attacks on SPLM-IO cantonment sites and training centers, including Wunliet, Aswa, and Rejol. These incidents constitute a serious breach of the Permanent Ceasfire and Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) signed in 2017.
As tensions escalate, the international community is urged to intervene and secure the immediate release of the detained leaders, ensuring the fragile peace process in South Sudan is not completely derailed.
