The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed deep concern over reports regarding the detention of the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Riek Machar.

The reported house arrest of Riek Machar, the former bush rebel leader who became South Sudan's First Vice President, marks the latest turn in the turbulent relationship with his rival, President Salva Kiir,

South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar is under arrest and will be investigated, the country's information minister said on Friday, raising the risk that the rift between Machar and President Salva Kiir could plunge the nation back into war.