The United Nations chief urged regional and international leaders Friday to prevent South Sudan from falling “over the abyss” into another civil war and speak with one voice to support a return to peace.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that a peace agreement in South Sudan was in a shambles, telling the country's leaders to put down the weapons and put all the people of South Sudan first.

When South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in 2011 to a chorus of worldwide congratulations and celebrations, rebel-leader-turned-president Salva Kiir promised his people freedom and democracy.

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.

Amid rising tensions in Africa’s youngest country and reports that the country’s first vice president was arrested, Bishop Christian Carlassare called for peace.

An armed convoy led by top security officials, including the defence minister, entered Machar's residence in the capital, Juba, and disarmed his bodyguards late on Wednesday, said the Sudan People's Liberation Movement In Opposition (SPLM/IO).