South Sudan's Fragile Peace Unravels: Arrest of Machar Sparks Crisis

South Sudan's peace agreement, crucial in ending a five-year civil war, is under threat following the arrest of opposition leader Riek Machar. His detention has escalated tensions, risking renewed conflict, as the UN and international bodies urge restraint to prevent further deterioration and focus on peace and stability.

The arrest of South Sudan's opposition leader, Riek Machar, has propelled the country's precarious peace agreement towards collapse. This development follows mounting tensions between Machar's faction and the government, inviting fears of a return to widespread conflict.

The United Nations has issued a stark warning over South Sudan's potential slide back into civil war, underscoring the urgency for political restraint and adherence to the Revitalized Peace Agreement of 2018. Following skirmishes in the north, the government's airstrike response has heightened concerns.

International reactions have swiftly followed, with the African Union and the US urging South Sudan's leadership to de-escalate the situation and avert further unrest. Embassies of several Western countries have taken precautionary measures amid the uncertain security landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)