South Sudan’s Fragile Peace Shattered
South Sudan’s already fragile political balance has been dealt a fresh blow after Vice-President Riek Machar was charged with murder, treason, terrorism, and crimes against humanity. The charges stem from a March 2025 attack on a military base in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, where more than 250 soldiers were killed in one of the country’s deadliest assaults since the 2018 peace deal.
Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech announced the charges during a press briefing in Juba, declaring that neither political power nor past peace agreements could shield leaders from accountability.
“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,” Akech said.
White Army Militia Accused
The attack was carried out by the White Army, a militia made up largely of young fighters from Machar’s Nuer ethnic community. Between March 3 and 7, the militia stormed the base, killing soldiers and looting weapons and supplies.
Reports indicate that several senior officers, including a general, were killed, while a United Nations helicopter attempting to evacuate wounded troops came under fire. A pilot lost his life in the incident, sparking outrage from the international community.
The government alleges Machar directed the assault and is therefore criminally liable, alongside 20 of his associates who are also facing charges.
Geneva Conventions Violated
Justice officials described the crimes as “gross violations of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law”, citing:
Desecration of corpses
Persecution of civilians
Attacks on humanitarian workers
Destruction of public property
Human rights observers warn that the case underscores the fragility of peace in South Sudan, where cycles of ethnic violence, political rivalry, and resource struggles continue to destabilize the nation.
Power-Sharing Agreement in Crisis
The charges also highlight the ongoing breakdown of the power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and Machar, a deal brokered in 2018 to end South Sudan’s devastating five-year civil war.
Kiir has been consolidating power for months, sidelining Machar and detaining his allies. Following the Nasir attack, Machar was placed under house arrest, effectively cutting him off from his political base.
Analysts say the trial could deepen divisions and potentially reignite armed conflict if not carefully managed.
International Reactions
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed alarm, warning that the country was “witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress.”
International humanitarian groups fear that renewed fighting will worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis. Over 9 million people—more than two-thirds of South Sudan’s population—currently depend on humanitarian aid for survival, according to UN data.
The African Union (AU) called for restraint, urging South Sudanese leaders to respect international law and prioritize peace over political rivalry.
Meanwhile, the United States, which has long pressured Juba to hold democratic elections, has yet to comment formally on Machar’s indictment. However, Washington has previously sanctioned both Kiir and Machar for their role in perpetuating conflict.
History of Machar vs. Kiir Rivalry
The rivalry between President Kiir, a member of the Dinka ethnic group, and Riek Machar, from the Nuer community, has defined South Sudan’s turbulent history.
2011: South Sudan gained independence from Sudan, raising hopes of peace and prosperity.
2013: Tensions between Kiir and Machar erupted into a civil war that killed over 400,000 people and displaced millions.
2018: A peace agreement established a fragile power-sharing deal, returning Machar to government as first vice-president.
2024: Elections scheduled for December were postponed by two years, fueling political tensions and public frustration.
Today’s charges against Machar appear to mark the collapse of the uneasy truce, pushing South Sudan back toward instability.
The Human Cost
The attack on the Nasir military base has left deep scars, not just on the armed forces but also on civilians in Upper Nile State. Survivors reported widespread looting, destruction of property, and the displacement of thousands of villagers.
Humanitarian workers also came under fire, and several aid convoys were blocked from delivering food and medicine. With the rainy season approaching, agencies fear a surge in hunger and disease outbreaks.
Elections and Uncertain Future
South Sudan’s long-delayed elections, initially planned for December 2024, have now been postponed until at least 2026. Many observers see the indictment of Machar as a political maneuver by Kiir to remove his strongest rival before polls are held.
Civil society groups argue that without free and fair elections, South Sudan risks sliding back into authoritarian rule and endless cycles of violence.
“The trial of Riek Machar must not be used as a political weapon,” one Juba-based human rights activist told reporters. “Justice should be about accountability, not eliminating opponents.”
Regional Impact
South Sudan’s instability also poses risks for its neighbors, including Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda, which have all hosted South Sudanese refugees in the past decade. Any renewed conflict could send another wave of displaced people across borders, straining already fragile regional economies.
Oil production—South Sudan’s economic lifeline—could also be disrupted. The country holds the third-largest oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, but corruption, conflict, and mismanagement have prevented ordinary citizens from benefiting.
The Road Ahead
As Machar awaits trial, questions loom over South Sudan’s future:
Can Kiir’s government deliver justice without deepening ethnic divisions?
Will Machar’s supporters retaliate, sparking new violence?
Can international actors like the UN, AU, and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) push both leaders toward genuine reconciliation?
For now, uncertainty reigns. What is clear is that South Sudan’s dream of stability remains distant, and the charges against Riek Machar represent a defining moment in the young nation’s troubled history.
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