South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, has been formally charged with murder, treason, and crimes against humanity a development that has sparked fears of renewed conflict in the fragile nation.
Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech announced that the charges stem from a deadly March assault on a military base in Nasir, allegedly carried out by the White Army militia, a group reportedly aligned with Machar and composed largely of fighters from his Nuer ethnic group. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 250 soldiers and a general, and a UN helicopter was also fired upon, killing its pilot.
Security forces have since sealed off access to Machar’s residence in the capital, Juba, with tanks and soldiers stationed nearby. Machar has been under house arrest since the incident, as international bodies including the United Nations, the African Union, and neighboring states urge restraint and dialogue.
The charges come at a time of escalating strain between Machar and President Salva Kiir, whose factions previously fought a brutal five-year civil war that ended with a 2018 peace agreement. That conflict claimed nearly 400,000 lives and displaced millions, but the peace remains fragile amid ongoing ethnic violence and political discord.
Alongside Machar, seven of his close allies including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam have also been indicted and remain in detention. Thirteen additional suspects are still at large.
Justice Minister Akech emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “This sends a clear message: those who commit atrocities against the people of South Sudan, our armed forces, and humanitarian personnel will be held accountable, regardless of their rank or influence.” He also urged that the matter be left to the judiciary, cautioning against political or diplomatic interference.
Machar has yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of war. However, internal divisions quickly erupted, plunging the country into civil war by 2013 a conflict that continues to cast a long shadow over its path to peace.
