Machar Allies to Snub AU Delegation Over Detention Fears

JUBA – South Sudan’s main opposition party, the SPLM-IO, has announced it will boycott an African Union (AU) mediation meeting scheduled for Wednesday, citing fears of arrest and demanding the release of First Vice President Riek Machar.

Political Tensions Escalate

Machar, leader of the SPLM-IO, was placed under house arrest on March 26, allegedly on orders of President Salva Kiir. Information Minister Michael Makuei has accused Machar of attempting to overthrow the government and directing attacks on the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).

AU Mediation Efforts

The AU’s “Panel of the Wise,” a conflict prevention body, is scheduled to arrive in Juba to meet with parties to the 2018 peace agreement, including Kiir and Machar. This follows “cordial direct talks” between AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Kiir regarding recent violence in Nasir County.

SPLM-IO’s Conditions for Participation

Dut Majokdit, a member of the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council, stated the party would not send representatives unless Machar is released:

• “Nobody will represent the party unless the chairman is released from house arrest”
• Machar is the only authorized representative of SPLM-IO’s position
• Party members fear arbitrary arrests and intimidation by security forces

Call for Direct Dialogue

Majokdit urged the AU delegation to directly engage with Machar and facilitate talks between him and Kiir:

“We urge the African Union Panel of the Wise to meet directly with First Vice-President Riek Machar to present the SPLM-IO position paper and bring President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar together to dialogue.”

Peace Process at Stake

The opposition leader emphasized that Machar’s continued detention jeopardizes the peace process:

“How do you engage on the peace process while the chairman, who is the principal to the peace agreement, is under house arrest? He is the only person that can present the position paper of the SPLM-IO.”

Conclusion

The SPLM-IO has made clear its refusal to participate in any meetings without Machar’s release, potentially complicating AU mediation efforts in South Sudan’s ongoing political crisis.