Political tensions in South Sudan have reached a boiling point as opposition leader Riek Machar faces a slew of criminal charges, prompting urgent calls from Amnesty International for a public trial. The case, which has already led to Machar's suspension as first vice president and his ongoing house arrest, threatens to unravel the fragile peace in the world’s youngest nation, according to reports from The Associated Press and Devdiscourse.
On September 11, 2025, President Salva Kiir made a dramatic announcement: Riek Machar, the nation’s first vice president and a key figure in South Sudan’s transitional government, was officially suspended. This move, as reported by AP, effectively ended the unity government that had, until now, kept the country from sliding back into all-out war. For many South Sudanese, the announcement was both shocking and ominous, raising fears that the uneasy calm achieved after years of civil conflict could be shattered once again.
The following day, Amnesty International publicly urged South Sudan’s government to ensure Machar’s trial is open and accessible, emphasizing the importance of transparency and due process. In a statement, the organization reminded authorities, “We remind the authorities of their obligation of the right to a public hearing. This means that not only the parties and victims in the case, but also the general public, independent observers and the media have the right to be present during criminal trials.” According to Amnesty International, a fair and public trial is not just a legal requirement but a necessary step to prevent further escalation of political and ethnic tensions.
Machar, along with seven others, is facing a formidable list of charges: treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property and military assets, and crimes against humanity. The charges stem from a violent incident in March 2025, when a militia known as the White Army attacked a government garrison in Nasir, Upper Nile state. The assault resulted in the death of the garrison’s commanding officer and several others. Authorities allege that Machar, through what they describe as “coordinated military and political structures,” orchestrated the attack. The justice ministry claims these actions were not isolated but rather part of a broader campaign to destabilize the government.
Since March, Machar and his wife have been held under house arrest, a situation that has only fueled speculation and concern about his safety. According to AP, Machar has not been seen in public for months, and his supporters worry about his health and wellbeing. Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson for the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), voiced these concerns directly: “We do not know how safe he is.” Deng, a former minister of water and irrigation, also highlighted that Machar has no direct access to legal representatives or independent observers, raising serious questions about the fairness of the judicial process.
The government’s decision to suspend Machar and pursue criminal charges has not occurred in a vacuum. As Daniel Akech, a senior analyst for South Sudan with the International Crisis Group, told The Associated Press, “This action has deepened long-standing ethnic cleavages and might lead to a return to civil war along ethnic contours.” The rivalry between President Kiir and Machar is not only political but also deeply rooted in the country’s complex ethnic landscape. Kiir is from the Dinka, South Sudan’s largest ethnic group, while Machar is Nuer, the second-largest. Both men were once comrades-in-arms, leading the rebel movement that secured South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011. Today, they stand on opposite sides of a bitter divide, their personal and political animosities echoing through the country’s fractured society.
Observers warn that the prosecution of Machar risks reopening old wounds and could even trigger a return to the devastating civil war that wracked South Sudan for years. The transitional government established under the 2018 peace deal had been seen as a critical step toward stability, but elections promised by the agreement have been repeatedly postponed. The ongoing fighting between pro-government troops and militias loyal to Machar underscores just how fragile the peace remains. According to Devdiscourse, political analysts believe that Machar’s prolonged detention without trial is likely to intensify ethnic divides and may spark renewed unrest.
Amnesty International’s call for a public trial is not just about legal process—it’s about the future of South Sudan’s democracy and the rule of law. The organization’s statement emphasized that transparency in judicial proceedings is vital for public trust, especially in a country where political trials have historically been shrouded in secrecy and suspicion. The importance of independent observers and media access cannot be overstated, as many fear that closed-door proceedings could be used to silence political opponents and suppress dissent.
For Machar’s allies, the stakes could not be higher. The SPLM-IO’s concerns over his isolation and lack of access to legal counsel are echoed by international observers, who see the case as emblematic of broader issues of political repression and human rights abuses in South Sudan. The government, for its part, maintains that the charges are legitimate and necessary to maintain order. Yet, as Daniel Akech noted, many view the proceedings as a pretext for consolidating power and sidelining a formidable political rival.
The situation is further complicated by the ongoing violence in the country. Pro-government forces continue to clash with militias said to be loyal to Machar, and the threat of renewed large-scale conflict looms over every political development. The repeated postponement of elections only adds to the sense of uncertainty, as many South Sudanese wonder whether the promise of democracy will ever be fulfilled.
For now, the fate of Riek Machar remains uncertain. Authorities have not announced when his trial will begin, and the terms of his house arrest remain opaque. What is clear, however, is that the outcome of this case will have far-reaching consequences—not just for Machar and his supporters, but for the entire nation. As Amnesty International and other observers have made clear, the manner in which South Sudan’s government handles this high-profile trial could determine whether the country moves toward reconciliation and stability, or slides back into the chaos of civil war.
In a country where the scars of conflict are still fresh and the bonds of trust fragile, the world is watching closely. The coming weeks will reveal whether South Sudan’s leaders can chart a path toward justice and peace, or whether the cycle of political rivalry and ethnic strife will continue to define the nation’s future.