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[QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 30030, member: 2262"]
Seven Western countries want South Sudan's president to free his deputy immediately. The United States, United Kingdom, France, Norway, Netherlands, Germany, and the European Union released a statement on Thursday about Dr. Riek Machar's house arrest. They expressed "grave concern" about what happened Wednesday evening. The diplomats directly asked President Salva Kiir to reverse his decision.

These nations reminded everyone that Machar's position exists because of the 2018 Peace Agreement. They urged Kiir and all other leaders who control armed groups to order an immediate ceasefire. The statement emphasized how urgent it is for all parties to start talking directly with each other. They need to prove they really want peace.

Machar's political group, the SPLA/M-IO, declared Thursday that the peace deal has completely fallen apart. They blame President Kiir for ordering military intelligence and presidential guards to arrest Machar. The regional organization IGAD expressed alarm, saying this arrest seriously undermines the fragile peace signed back in August 2018.

Kenya has called for everyone to show restraint. Their Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, released a statement expressing concern about what's happening next door. The safety situation has become bad enough that Germany and Norway closed their embassies in the capital city, Juba. The United States and the United Kingdom have reduced their staff numbers because of these developments.
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