South Sudan on edge as cracks emerge in ruling coalition

Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir with opposition leader and First Vice President Riek Machar. 

Photo credit: File | AFP

South Sudan’s ruling coalition, the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNoU) had been a loose arrangement meant to patch up peace in the country.

But last week, the seams of this fabric looked likely to tear more after authorities detained allies of First Vice-President, Dr Riek Machar, for fueling a militia uprising in the eastern region of Upper Nile.