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In a dramatic escalation of South Sudan’s volatile political landscape, First Vice President Riek Machar has been formally charged with a litany of serious offenses, including murder, treason, and crimes against humanity. The announcement, made by South Sudan’s Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech on Thursday, September 11, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the fragile nation, further straining the already tenuous power-sharing arrangement between Machar and President Salva Kiir. The charges, which also implicate seven other individuals, including the former Minister of Petroleum, are tied to alleged militia attacks on federal forces in March, raising fears of renewed conflict in a country still reeling from the devastating civil war that erupted in 2013.
The accusations against Machar center on his alleged orchestration of a deadly assault by the White Army, a loosely organized militia composed primarily of armed youths from the Nuer ethnic group, which is closely associated with Machar. According to the South Sudanese government, the White Army attacked a military base in Nasir, located in the northeastern Upper Nile state, resulting in the deaths of more than 250 soldiers. The government claims that Machar directly ordered the assault as part of a broader rebellion plot aimed at destabilizing the country. The Justice Minister described the attacks as marked by “gross violations of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law,” citing atrocities such as the desecration of corpses, persecution of civilians, and deliberate attacks on humanitarian workers.
Background of the Charges
The charges against Machar and his co-accused stem from a government investigation into what authorities describe as a coordinated attempt to undermine the state. The March attack in Nasir, a strategically important area in the oil-rich Upper Nile region, was reportedly carried out with brutal efficiency, targeting a key military installation. The White Army, while not a formal military force, has long been a significant player in South Sudan’s conflict dynamics, often acting as a proxy for political and ethnic grievances. The government’s assertion that Machar directed the militia’s actions has intensified scrutiny on his role in the country’s ongoing instability.
Alongside Machar, seven other individuals have been charged, including prominent figures such as the former Minister of Petroleum and the deputy head of the army, both of whom are associated with Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). The inclusion of such high-profile figures suggests that the government is casting a wide net in its efforts to dismantle what it perceives as a network of dissent. The Justice Minister’s statement emphasized that the alleged crimes constitute severe breaches of international law, pointing to evidence of systematic abuses that could further tarnish South Sudan’s reputation on the global stage.
A History of Rivalry and Conflict
The charges against Machar cannot be viewed in isolation but must be understood within the context of his long-standing rivalry with President Salva Kiir, a dynamic that has shaped South Sudan’s turbulent history since its independence in 2011. The two leaders, representing different ethnic and political factions—Kiir from the Dinka and Machar from the Nuer—have been at odds for decades, with their rivalry culminating in the outbreak of civil war in December 2013. The conflict was triggered when Kiir dismissed Machar as vice president, accusing him of orchestrating a coup attempt. What followed was a brutal war that killed an estimated 400,000 people, displaced roughly four million—approximately one-third of South Sudan’s population—and devastated the country’s economy and infrastructure.
The 2013–2018 civil war was characterized by widespread atrocities, including ethnic massacres, sexual violence, and the destruction of entire communities. The conflict was fueled by a combination of political power struggles, ethnic tensions, and competition over South Sudan’s vast oil resources, which account for the majority of the country’s revenue. The war left deep scars on the nation, with millions of displaced people still living in camps or neighboring countries, and the economy in tatters due to mismanagement and the collapse of oil production.
In 2018, after years of failed peace talks and international pressure, Kiir and Machar signed a peace agreement known as the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The deal paved the way for a government of national unity, with Machar reinstated as First Vice President in February 2020. However, the power-sharing arrangement has been fraught with challenges, marked by mutual distrust, delays in implementing key provisions of the agreement, and sporadic outbreaks of violence. The recent charges against Machar and the detention of several of his allies signal a significant unraveling of this fragile truce.
The March Attacks and Their Aftermath
The March 2025 attack in Nasir, which forms the basis of the charges against Machar, was a flashpoint in a series of violent incidents that have plagued Upper Nile state since late February. The region, a hotspot for oil production, has long been contested due to its economic significance and its position as a stronghold for Machar’s Nuer supporters. The White Army’s assault on the military base was reportedly swift and devastating, leaving more than 250 soldiers dead and raising alarm within the government about the potential for a broader rebellion.
In response to the attack, Kiir’s administration launched a crackdown, detaining several high-ranking officials from Machar’s SPLM-IO, including the former Minister of Petroleum and the deputy head of the army. These detentions, which began in early March, were seen as a direct challenge to Machar’s influence and a signal that the government was prepared to take decisive action against perceived threats. The arrests further strained relations between Kiir and Machar, with the latter accusing the government of targeting his supporters to weaken his political base.
The Justice Minister’s announcement of formal charges against Machar and his associates marks a significant escalation in this ongoing power struggle. By invoking serious charges such as treason and crimes against humanity, the government is signaling its intent to marginalize Machar and potentially remove him from the political equation altogether. However, this move carries significant risks, as it could further polarize an already divided nation and reignite large-scale violence.
Allegations of International Law Violations
The charges against Machar and his co-accused are particularly notable for their invocation of international humanitarian law. Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech accused the perpetrators of committing acts that violate the Geneva Conventions, including the desecration of corpses, the targeting of civilians, and attacks on humanitarian workers. These allegations, if substantiated, could have far-reaching implications, potentially drawing the attention of international bodies such as the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The desecration of corpses, a particularly heinous act, is considered a war crime under international law and carries significant symbolic weight in a country where ethnic and communal identities are deeply intertwined with conflict dynamics. The persecution of civilians, another charge leveled against Machar, points to reports of targeted attacks on communities perceived to be aligned with the government, particularly in Upper Nile state. Attacks on humanitarian workers, who have been critical in providing aid to South Sudan’s vulnerable population, further underscore the gravity of the accusations.
The government’s decision to frame the charges in the context of international law suggests an attempt to legitimize its actions on the global stage and potentially garner support from international actors. However, it also raises questions about the credibility of the evidence and the impartiality of the judicial process, given the highly politicized nature of the conflict between Kiir and Machar.
The Fragile Power-Sharing Arrangement
The charges against Machar come at a time when the 2018 peace agreement is under increasing strain. The R-ARCSS, which was hailed as a breakthrough at the time of its signing, has faced numerous challenges in implementation. Key provisions, such as the unification of armed forces, the establishment of a transitional justice mechanism, and the conduct of national elections, have either been delayed or remain unimplemented. The power-sharing government, intended to foster cooperation between Kiir and Machar, has instead been marked by mistrust and competing agendas.
The detention of SPLM-IO officials earlier this year was a significant blow to the peace process, as it signaled Kiir’s willingness to use state power to suppress Machar’s influence. The charges against Machar himself represent a further escalation, raising the specter of a complete collapse of the government of national unity. If Machar is removed from his position as First Vice President or arrested, it could trigger widespread unrest, particularly among his Nuer supporters, who constitute a significant portion of the population.
Regional and International Implications
South Sudan’s internal conflicts have long had regional and international ramifications, given the country’s strategic location and its oil wealth. Neighboring countries, including Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya, have been heavily involved in mediating the conflict and hosting refugees displaced by the violence. The charges against Machar are likely to complicate these regional dynamics, as they could prompt renewed calls for international intervention or sanctions.
The international community, including the United Nations, the African Union, and Western governments, has invested significant resources in supporting South Sudan’s peace process. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has been deployed since 2011 to protect civilians and support peacebuilding efforts, but its mandate has been repeatedly challenged by ongoing violence. The charges against Machar may prompt renewed scrutiny of the UN’s role and the effectiveness of international mediation efforts.
Moreover, the invocation of crimes against humanity could draw the attention of the ICC, which has previously expressed interest in investigating atrocities committed during South Sudan’s civil war. While South Sudan is not a party to the Rome Statute, the UN Security Council could refer the situation to the ICC, as it did in the case of Sudan’s Darfur conflict. Such a move would likely be met with resistance from the South Sudanese government, which has historically been wary of international judicial intervention.
Potential for Renewed Conflict
The charges against Machar raise serious concerns about the potential for renewed conflict in South Sudan. The country remains deeply divided along ethnic and political lines, with armed groups operating in various regions. The White Army, while not a cohesive force, has the capacity to mobilize quickly and could respond to Machar’s prosecution with retaliatory attacks. Similarly, other armed groups aligned with Machar’s SPLM-IO may view the charges as a declaration of war by the government, prompting a return to large-scale violence.
The Upper Nile region, where the March attack took place, is particularly volatile due to its oil resources and its position as a contested area between the Dinka and Nuer communities. Any escalation in this region could disrupt oil production, which is already struggling due to infrastructure damage and mismanagement. A collapse in oil revenue would further exacerbate South Sudan’s economic crisis, deepening the suffering of its population, many of whom rely on humanitarian aid to survive.
Conclusion
The charges against Riek Machar mark a critical juncture in South Sudan’s fragile peace process. The accusations of murder, treason, and crimes against humanity, coupled with the detention of his allies, signal a significant escalation in the rivalry between Machar and President Salva Kiir. While the government frames the charges as a necessary response to a rebellion plot, the move risks unraveling the 2018 peace agreement and plunging the country back into conflict.
For South Sudan’s population, already battered by years of war, displacement, and economic hardship, the prospect of renewed violence is a devastating blow. The international community, which has invested heavily in supporting the peace process, now faces the challenge of navigating a rapidly deteriorating situation. Whether the charges against Machar will lead to justice or further chaos remains to be seen, but the stakes could not be higher for the world’s youngest nation.
