South Sudan’s Riek Machar charged with treason, fears of renewed tensions

South Sudan’s First Vice President,Riek Machar,is facing charges of treason,murder,terrorism,and other grave offences,the Justice ministry confirmed,raising fears of renewed conflict in the fragile nation.

Machar,who has been under house arrest since March 2025,was suspended by President Salva Kiir after being accused of orchestrating subversive activities against the Government.

The indictment also implicates seven others and stems from a violent attack in Nasir,Upper Nile state,where a militia known as the White Army killed a garrison commander and several soldiers.

The developments threaten to unravel the delicate 2018 peace agreement that ended years of bloody civil war but has yet to be fully implemented,with elections repeatedly delayed. Pro-government forces have recently clashed with armed groups allegedly loyal to Machar,further heightening instability. The justice ministry claims the Nasir assault was influenced by Machar through “coordinated military and political structures,” casting fresh doubt on the sustainability of South Sudan’s transitional governance.