Riek Machar
Riek Machar is the leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) and First Vice-President of South Sudan under the power-sharing arrangement established by the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). He led the main armed opposition against President Salva Kiir during South Sudan's 2013–2018 civil war, a conflict fought largely along ethnic lines between Machar's Nuer-aligned forces and Kiir's government that killed about 400 000 people. The 2018 peace deal brought Machar into a transitional government of national unity alongside Kiir, his long-standing rival, as part of a collective presidency with four vice-presidents. Since March 2025, Machar has been held under house arrest after the government accused him of orchestrating an attack by the White Army militia, drawn largely from his Nuer ethnic group, on a military base in Nasir, Upper Nile State. He is on trial facing charges including treason, murder and crimes against humanity, all of which he denies. His detention has repeatedly stalled implementation of the peace agreement, split his SPLM/A-IO faction, and raised fears of renewed civil war, particularly amid fighting in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states. Machar remains a central figure in negotiations over South Sudan's planned December 2026 elections, with international mediators, including the African Union-backed C5+ process, calling for his release as a condition for credible talks between him and Kiir. His continued detention and the rivalry between the two men are widely regarded as the principal fault line threatening South Sudan's fragile transition.
Riek Machar Updates
Daily Podcast – September 22, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 22nd September 2026 Making headlines: DA takes ActionSA, EFF, MKP, and GOOD party to Electoral Court; Retired SCA judge appointed to FUL board; And, South Sudan's... →
South Sudan's president signs election law changes ahead of December vote
By: Reuters 22nd September 2026 South Sudan President Salva Kiir signed amendments to the country's election law late on Monday, removing requirements that linked elections to the... →
Credible elections are no longer possible in South Sudan – what next?
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 16th September 2026 Attention should shift to preserving the peace deal that underpins the current government and is key to averting large-scale violence. South... →
South Sudan’s first elections won’t be perfect – but another delay could be even riskier
27th July 2026 South Sudan is expected to hold an election on 22 December 2026, the first in the country’s history. It’s already been postponed twice, in 2022 and... →
Race against time to stabilise South Sudan as elections loom
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 30th March 2026 With the window for holding meaningful elections fast closing, can the three initiatives underway deliver more than previous efforts? The December... →
South Sudan has never had an election to hand over presidential power: so what are the rules of succession?
3rd March 2026 South Sudan has not held an election since it gained independence 15 years ago, and progress towards a new constitution has stalled. Election dates... →
South Sudan government says rebel advance poses 'serious threat to peace'
By: Reuters 27th January 2026 South Sudan's government urged opposition forces to halt fighting on Tuesday, saying a rebel advance and ongoing clashes that have already caused... →
South Sudan orders UN personnel, civilians to leave parts of Jonglei State
By: Reuters 26th January 2026 South Sudan's military has ordered all civilians and personnel from the UN mission and all other charities to evacuate three counties in Jonglei... →
South Sudan's Kiir re-appoints former VP after sacking ally
By: Reuters 18th November 2025 South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has re-appointed his former vice president James Wani Igga to the same position, the state broadcaster said,... →
South Sudan president fires military chief after three months, reinstates predecessor
By: Reuters 9th October 2025 South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has removed the country's military chief and reinstated his predecessor whom Kiir had sacked three months... →
