About our Riek Machar News
Latest news on Riek Machar, covering South Sudan politics, peace process, SPLM-IO leadership, and updates on the current First Vice President.
Dr Riek Machar Teny, a key figure in South Sudanese politics, currently serves as the First Vice President in the unity government formed under the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). As chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), Machar represents one of the largest political and military forces in the young nation of approximately 11 million people.
Tensions have dramatically escalated in March 2025, with South Sudanese soldiers surrounding Machar's home in Juba and several of his key allies being arrested. Deputy army chief Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol were detained after fighting erupted in northern South Sudan involving the White Army militia, which previously fought alongside Machar during the civil war. The SPLM-IO has called these arrests a "grave violation" of the 2018 peace agreement, raising fears about potential renewed conflict. The planned national elections have been postponed until 2026, further extending the transitional period that has been fraught with challenges to power-sharing arrangements.
Beyond politics, Machar's leadership affects millions of South Sudanese citizens struggling with economic challenges and humanitarian concerns. Local communities, particularly in areas historically aligned with the SPLM-IO, watch closely for signs of improved governance and service delivery. His recent public appearances at peace rallies and community meetings underscore efforts to maintain grassroots support amid growing public frustration over the slow pace of reforms.
Machar's role in South Sudan's complex history dates back to the liberation struggle against Sudan, where he emerged as a prominent commander. His relationship with President Kiir has been marked by periods of cooperation and violent conflict, most notably the civil war that erupted in December 2013. This conflict resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, creating one of Africa's largest refugee crises, with significant populations still living in neighbouring countries.
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