Riek Machar's Treason Trial Escalates Tensions in South Sudan, Threatening Fragile Peace Deal

Trial of First Vice President Riek Machar Underway in Juba

The trial of South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar commenced on Monday, September 22, 2025, in the capital city of Juba. Machar, alongside seven co-accused, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, faces grave charges of murder, treason, and crimes against humanity. The proceedings, which have drawn significant national and international attention, are seen as a critical test for the country's delicate peace and the future of its unity government.

The charges against Machar and his co-defendants are linked to an alleged attack by the White Army militia on a military base in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, in March 2025. This incident reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 250 soldiers. Machar, who was placed under house arrest in March, was suspended from his position as First Vice President by President Salva Kiir via decree earlier in September, citing national security concerns.

Legal Challenges and Procedural Delays

During the initial sessions, Machar's legal team mounted a robust defense, challenging the court's jurisdiction and competence. His lawyers argued that the criminal proceedings are 'unconstitutional' while Machar remains in office and that the 2018 Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which underpins the unity government, should protect him from such prosecutions. The trial was broadcast nationally for three hours on its opening day and conducted under heavy security presence in Juba.

The proceedings were subsequently adjourned to Monday, September 29, 2025, to allow the court to deliberate on the objections raised by the defense, including questions regarding the licensing of some defense lawyers. This adjournment highlights the complex legal and political landscape surrounding the high-profile case.

Concerns Over Stability and Human Rights

The trial has reignited widespread concerns about the stability of South Sudan, a nation that gained independence in 2011 and has been plagued by conflict. Analysts suggest the trial may be 'a pretext for a political power struggle' between long-time rivals Machar and President Kiir. The two leaders, representing the Nuer and Dinka ethnic groups respectively, have a history of strained relations, and the trial has exacerbated existing ethnic tensions.

On September 26, 2025, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed alarm over the deteriorating human rights situation in South Sudan, noting that nearly 2,000 civilians have been killed this year amid escalating political tensions and violence. The restricted media access to the trial, with only state-owned broadcasters permitted, has drawn criticism from advocacy groups, who emphasize the need for transparency and accountability to prevent perceptions of political motivation.

Future of the Unity Government at Stake

The 2018 R-ARCSS, which brought an end to a devastating civil war, is widely seen as unraveling. The suspension of Machar and the ongoing trial have deepened divisions within the unity government, with some stakeholders believing the peace agreement has effectively 'died'. The outcome of this trial is therefore critical, as it could either pave the way for accountability or further destabilize a nation already grappling with an economic crisis and sporadic outbreaks of violence, potentially jeopardizing the path toward postponed 2026 elections.