U.S. Department of State logo. (Courtesy).

The United States said on Thursday it was concerned about reports that First Vice President Riek Machar is “under house arrest” and urges President Salva Kiir to “reverse this action” to prevent further escalation.

The country has lately experienced deteriorating security situation and a breakdown in working relationship among the 2018 peace parties following the outbreak of violence in Nasir in Upper Nile, Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) indicated reports that Machar was detained and urged all parties in the country to exercise restraint and uphold the 2018 revitalized agreement.

Washington’s Bureau of Africa Affairs said in a statement on X that it is time for South Sudan’s leaders to demonstrate sincerity and commitment to peace.

“We are concerned by reports South Sudan’s First Vice President Machar is under house arrest. We urge President Kiir to reverse this action & prevent further escalation of the situation. It is time for South Sudan’s leaders to demonstrate sincerity of stated commitments to peace,” the statement reads.

The government is yet to release a statement clarifying the situation.

Meanwhile, SPLM-IO Deputy Chairman Oyet Nathaniel confirmed the detention of Machar and Interior Minister Angelina Teny, in a statement on Thursday.

Recent pressure from regional leaders and diplomatic missions on President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar to hold dialogue have not yielded fruits, amid military clashes at cantonment sites near the capital Juba.

But on Wednesday, President Kiir reaffirmed his “unwavering commitment” to restoring peace and insists he is resolute to ensure the country never returns to war, in his meeting with religious leaders.

Some South Sudanese citizens in Juba have also denounced the current political tensions and violence in parts of the country and appeal to the transitional government to prevent a return to conflict.