Museveni's unresolved crisis : SPLA-IO Vows to Defend Machar

South Sudan’s political tensions are rising after government forces placed First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar under house arrest. The opposition group SPLA-IO has strongly rejected any attempts to remove or prosecute Machar, warning that such actions could bring more conflict.

Nathaniel Pierino Oyet, acting chairperson of SPLA-IO and Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Assembly, issued a firm 10-page statement accusing President Salva Kiir of blocking peace efforts. He said that dialogue had failed because the government was not willing to cooperate or reform.

“For a long time, we tried peaceful solutions,” Oyet said. “But Kiir’s lack of political will and continued resistance to change have made peace talks useless.”

Oyet stated clearly that SPLA-IO will not allow anyone to replace Machar illegally. “If anyone tries to remove or take him to court without following the right process, we will resist with all we have,” he said.

Dr. Machar is currently being held at his home after an incident on March 26, 2025, where the White Army militia overran government positions in Nasir, Upper Nile State, killing several soldiers including a general. The government blames SPLA-IO for being behind the attack, but the opposition denies it.

The situation has drawn regional concern. On April 3, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni arrived in South Sudan for talks aimed at stopping a new civil war. He was welcomed in Juba by President Kiir, and although Museveni didn’t mention the crisis publicly, he said he came to strengthen ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Museveni’s trip follows recent efforts by the African Union and East African leaders to calm the situation. Uganda had sent troops into South Sudan last month to help secure Juba, but Machar’s party sees this as a violation of the arms embargo.

Machar and Kiir have a long history of political rivalry. Their past conflict from 2013 to 2018 led to a bloody civil war that killed hundreds of thousands. Now, fears are growing that the country could again fall into ethnic violence, especially as Kiir faces pressure from within his own camp about his future leadership.

Ugandan military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son, recently ordered his soldiers not to attack the White Army as long as they stop fighting Ugandan forces. Analysts believe President Kiir may be using this moment to tighten control as doubts about his leadership grow.

Despite the tensions, SPLA-IO remains firm: Dr. Machar must stay in his role, and any attempt to silence him or change leadership unfairly will be strongly opposed.