South Sudanese forces have arrested the petroleum minister and several senior military officials allied with First Vice President Riek Machar, Machar's spokesperson said on Wednesday, jeopardising a peace deal that ended a five-year civil war.

Spokespersons for Machar’s SPLM-IO party condemned the crackdown, calling it a violation of the peace agreement. They also raised concerns about growing military deployment around Machar’s home, warning that the situation could reignite conflict.

Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and General Doup Lam have been arrested, and Vice President Riek Machar's residence surrounded, as troops loyal to South Sudan's President Salva Kiir conduct an apparent crackdown.