During Sudan’s second north-south civil war from 1983 to 2005, before South Sudan became independent, Khartoum sought to undermine the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the main group fighting for the south’s liberation. To do so, it supported southern militias against it.

The arrest of Vice President Riek Machar could trigger a new wave of fighting in Africa's youngest nation. Analysts are urging the international community to push for peace in the fragile country.

Mr Machar was "in confinement by the government" and his life was "at risk" after "heavily armed vehicles forcefully entered his residence", the party says.