The African Union’s Panel of the Wise delegation in the South Sudan capital Juba was on Friday morning denied access to the First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, who leads the armed opposition group SPLA-IO and a key signatory to the 2018 fragile peace agreement.
The panel, under the leadership of the former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye, were scheduled to meet Machar yesterday morning, but it did not happen.
In it’s letter to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) prior to the visit, the panel appointed by the African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf to address the deteriorating security situation in the country, said it was going to meet all the stakeholders in the conflict.
“While in the country, the Panel will meet with President Salva Kiir, President of the Republic of South Sudan, and engage with key stakeholders, including the Vice Presidency, R- ARCSS institutions, the Constitution-Making and Electoral institutions, comprising the NEC NCRC and PPC, relevant Officers from the SSPDF, RIMEC, CTSAMVM, IGAD and other critical stakeholders deemed necessary,” said the letter.
The panel has already met various stakeholders, including the U.N Secretary General’s Special Representative, Nicholas Haysom, President Kiir and others.
It now appears that no one will be allowed to see Machar until he has been charged in court.
The IGAD Special Envoy, Raila Odinga also said he was not allowed to see Machar while in Juba.
The Government of Kiir has accused Machar of plotting a rebellion to destabilize the country.
On Friday last week, the Minister of Information under Kiir, Michael Makuei said intelligence reports pinned Machar for mobilizing his SPLA-IO forces to cause mayhem.
“Since the beginning of March 2025, and according to intelligence and security reports, Dr. Riek Machar, the 1st Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Chairman and C-in-C of the SPLM/A-IO had been in contact with his bases on the ground and specifically with the Politicians and Commanders of SPLM/A-IO agitating them to rebel against the Government with the aim of disrupting peace so that elections are not held and South Sudan goes back to war,” said Makuei.
Makuei openly accused Machar of being behind the White Army militias’ deadly attack on the government forces in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
“As a result, the SPLM/A-IO forces in the name of the white army/Naath Defence Forces:- attacked and overran Nasir garrison on 4/3/2025 and killed Commander Majur Dak and dispersed the SSPDF forces,” he said.
Machar’s detention, according to Makuei, was ordered by President Kiir
“In order to save Government positions including Juba from further attacks by SPLM/A-IO and prevent the collapse of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, 2018 (R-ARCSS), H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, in Exercise of powers vested upon him by the Constitution, directed the placement of Dr. Riak Machar under house arrest on 26/03/2025,” said Makuei.
The United Nations, African Union, IGAD and Western diplomatic missions have already called for the release of Machar and the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
The diplomatic missions of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Norway, Netherlands, Germany and the European Union delegation in South Sudan on Thursday last week called on President Kiir to release Dr. Riek Machar.
The deteriorating security situation in South Sudan has already forced Germany and Norway to close their embassies in the capital Juba while the U.S. and U.K. have cut down on their staffers.
