FILE PHOTO: Ambassador Michael J. Adler speaks during the commemoration of IOM's 10-year Anniversary of Rapid Response Fund. November 2023. (Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio).

Juba, South Sudan (Eye Radio) – U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan, Michael J. Adler, has called for the release of detained SPLM-IO leaders, including Dr. Riek Machar, who remains under house arrest, and urged renewed dialogue among all parties to revive the stalled peace process.

In March 2025, government spokesperson Michael Makuei announced that First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar had been placed under house arrest, pending an investigation into allegations that he incited his forces to engage in armed conflict against the government.

The SPLM-IO released a statement condemning what it described as the “arbitrary and unlawful arrest” of senior party leaders, including Deputy Chief of Defense Forces and Acting SPLA-IO Chief of Staff Gen. Duop Lam, as well as Petroleum Minister Puot Kang.

Speaking on Tuesday, April 29, after a meeting with Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, Presidential Senior Advisor and Chairperson of the National Transitional Committee (NTC), Ambassador Adler stressed Washington’s unwavering support for peace and inclusive political engagement.

“We stand for peace. We stand for those who would work to implement peace commitment,” Adler said. “We can’t accept peace commitments are being implemented when one of the main parties in the agreement is under house arrest.”

“We call for the release of those under house arrest. We call for a resumption of dialogue among recognised leaders of all parties in the transitional government to advance peace.”

The NTC, chaired by Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, is tasked with coordinating the implementation of the peace deal, including security arrangements, governance reforms, and power-sharing measures. However, progress has been slow, with repeated extensions of the transitional period and ongoing military clashes between rival forces.

The U.S. Ambassador concluded his remarks with a call for all signatories to recommit to the peace roadmap, warning that any further delays or unilateral actions could plunge the country back into full-scale conflict.

On several occasions, Western diplomatic missions in South Sudan have called on President Salva Kiir and other leaders with control over military forces to order a ceasefire immediately.

The embassies of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union delegation also expressed concern over the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with improvements, additional information, and relevant links.