South Sudan's president suspends vice president after charging him with treason, murder

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Thursday suspended the main opposition Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) party leader and First Vice President Riek Machar, as well as Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, several hours after the justice minister charged them with various crimes, including treason and murder.

According to a presidential order read on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Kiir suspended Machar and Chol from their positions pending trial on charges of treason, murder, and crimes against humanity stemming from militia attacks in Nasir.

The opposition leader, along with several other detained figures, will face serious charges such as murder, treason, and crimes against humanity, the country's Justice Minister said earlier on Thursday.

They are accused of various crimes, including conspiracy, financing terrorist activities, destroying public and military property, and inciting violence in Nasir County.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Joseph Geng Akech revealed that charges against 76 others had been dropped due to insufficient evidence.

“The accused were informed of their constitutional rights, which include the right to a fair trial and legal representation. The case will go to trial, and the prosecution will present evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt,” Akech said at a press conference.

He revealed that the eight people charged include Machar, Chol, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, the deputy army chief of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF), and the opposition chief of staff, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwich Lam Puoch, Brig. Gen. Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Riek Yak, and Dominic Gatrgok Riek.

According to Akech, the charges filed against the accused are based on South Sudanese and international law and include the murders of Gen. David Majour, over 250 SSPDF soldiers, and a UN staff member.

"Conspiracy and common intention (Penal Code Act, 2008, Sections 67-69) for coordinating with the White Army, terrorism, and financing terrorist acts (AML/CFT Act, 2012, as amended in 2024), as the White Army has been designated a terrorist organization," Akech said.

"Treason and acts against state authority (Penal Code Act, 2008, Section 64) for undermining the country's sovereignty and security, destruction of public property and military assets (Penal Code Act, 2008, Section 334), and crimes against humanity (Penal Code Act, 2008, Section 186) for systematic attacks on civilians and ethnic-based persecution," he added.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit placed Machar and his group under house arrest in March, following deadly clashes between the White Army rebel group and government forces in Upper Nile state.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but descended into civil war two years later.

The implementation of the 2018 peace agreement has been slow, and recent tensions have risen following deadly clashes between the White Army, a rebel group believed to be allied with Machar, and the South Sudan People's Defense Forces in Nasir County, in the northeastern state of Upper Nile.