The United Kingdom on Wednesday called for the release of South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar and other detainees, warning that ongoing tensions threaten to reignite conflict in the fragile nation.

Machar, whose long-standing rivalry with President Salva Kiir has pushed the country to the brink of civil war multiple times, has been under house arrest since March 26. A 2018 peace deal between the two leaders remains shaky, with slow implementation and repeated cease-fire violations.

South Sudan, which has never held a presidential election, postponed its planned vote until December 2026.

Addressing a press conference in Juba, David Ashley, the British ambassador to South Sudan, said his country strongly supports the combined efforts made by the international community — led by IGAD, the African Union and the United Nations — to bring the leaders to the negotiating table.

“We urge a return to dialogue and de-escalation, and that includes an immediate cease-fire and the release of political detainees held by the National Security Service (NSS), including the first vice president,” Ambassador Ashley said.

The diplomat said the everyday challenges faced by people in South Sudan are significant, and the war in Sudan, climate change and, sadly, the ongoing violence are only adding to the problem.

*“Peace must be the basis for development. Neither South Sudan, nor the region, nor the world can afford another conflict here. We regret the series of repeated violations of the cease-fire we have seen since February, including the recent bombing of the MSF hospital in Old Fangak on May 3,” he said.

The United Kingdom is a major donor in South Sudan, providing humanitarian and development support.  Radio Tamazuj