South Sudan: Accusations of Murder and Treason Against Riek Machar Amid Rising Political Tensions

The Minister of Justice in South Sudan, Joseph Konyi, announced on Thursday that the First Vice President of the country, Riek Machar, is facing serious accusations including murder, treason, and committing crimes against humanity, following allegations of his involvement in attacks carried out by an ethnic militia against federal forces in the Upper Nile State in the northeast of the country during March.

The minister clarified in a press conference that the accusations also involve seven other officials, including former Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chol, noting that the attacks were attributed to the "White Army" militia, which is believed to be linked to a military wing affiliated with Machar.

Machar is currently under house arrest since March, amid rising political and legal pressures, with concerns that these developments could destabilize the fragile peace agreement that ended the civil war between his opposition forces and the forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, a war that claimed the lives of around 400,000 people between 2013 and 2018.

These accusations come at a sensitive time, as the country is preparing for general elections, amid international calls to ensure justice and accountability, and to avoid a return to political violence.