In a critical diplomatic move, African Union (AU) mediators arrived in South Sudan's capital, Juba, on Wednesday to engage in talks aimed at preventing the resurgence of civil conflict. This initiative comes on the heels of First Vice President Riek Machar’s house arrest, which has ignited fears of a renewed power struggle within the nation.

The situation escalated rapidly last week when President Salva Kiir's administration accused Machar, a longstanding adversary and former commander of rebel forces during the devastating civil war from 2013 to 2018, of attempting to incite a new rebellion. The conflict, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, left deep-seated divisions along ethnic lines, primarily between Kiir's Dinka supporters and Machar's Nuer faction.

Machar's detention occurred amid ongoing clashes in Upper Nile state, where government forces have been engaged in violent confrontations with the White Army militia. Although Machar's forces previously allied with the White Army during the civil war, they have denied any present affiliations.

The AU delegation, known as the "Council of the Wise," landed at Juba's airport on Wednesday afternoon, featuring notable figures such as former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and former Kenyan judge Effie Owuor. Their mission is to facilitate dialogue and de-escalate tensions surrounding Machar's predicament.

In a statement released by Machar's SPLM-IO party, they expressed a warm welcome to the Council of the Wise, emphasizing their support for ongoing efforts to reduce hostilities and promote peace. The AU's Peace and Security Council, in a statement made on Tuesday, called for Machar's "immediate and unconditional release," warning that recent developments pose a significant threat to the fragile 2018 peace agreement that had endeavored to stabilize the country.

Additionally, Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived in Juba earlier this week, representing an East African regional body in mediating the ongoing disputes between the rival factions. However, Odinga reported being barred from meeting Machar during his visit.

Political analysts suggest that President Kiir, aged 73, may be consolidating his power in response to increasing dissatisfaction within his political ranks, exacerbated by the regional turmoil following recent conflicts in neighboring Sudan, which have resulted in a notable influx of weapons into South Sudan.

As the AU mediators embark on their urgent mission, the path ahead remains fraught with challenges, and the world will be watching closely to see if their diplomatic efforts can foster a renewed commitment to peace in a nation still haunted by the scars of civil war.