South Sudan vice president suspended over murder, treason charges

Mr Machar was appointed first vice president of South Sudan in 2011, shortly after the country gained independence from Sudan.

Chukwu Eze • September 12, 2025

Riek Machar [ credit : BBC]

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has suspended First Vice President Riek Machar over charges bordering on murder, treason and crimes against humanity.

Mr Kiir, on Thursday, announced the suspension in a decree on state radio hours after Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech said Mr Machar was charged over his alleged involvement in the murder of about 250 soldiers and a general by a militia.

Suspended alongside the first vice president, who has been on house arrest since March 2025 for his connection to the White Army Militia in the Northeastern town of Nasir, were Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Gabriel Duop Lam, a former deputy army chief.

According to the justice minister, who spoke to journalists on Thursday, Messrs Chol and Lam are the first vice president’s allies and were arrested at the same time as him. Also, he said 13 others are at large.
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Mr Akech said, ‎”Evidence further reveals that the White Army operated under the command and influence of certain leaders of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-iO), including Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
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‎”This case sends a clear message: those who commit atrocities against the people of South Sudan, against our armed forces and against humanitarian personnel will be held accountable, no matter their position or political influence.”
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‎Mr Akech stated that the case was now under judicial consideration and therefore prohibited for public discussion.
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‎”While the government of the Republic of South Sudan appreciates the engagement of international partners, public and media on the Nasir incident, this matter is now sub judice,” the minister stated.
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‎Mr Machar was appointed first vice president of South Sudan in 2011, shortly after the country gained independence from Sudan. However, he was accused by the president of attempting a coup in December 2013, which resulted in political tension, causing the outbreak of a civil war in South Sudan.
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‎In April 2016, he was reappointed vice president for the second time as part of a peace deal between the government and his rebels.

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