South Sudan's First Vice-President Riek Machar has been charged with murder, treason, and crimes against humanity in a dramatic move that some fear may reignite the country’s devastating civil war.
The Justice Minister, Joseph Geng Akech, announced that these charges stem from an attack in March carried out by a militia allegedly linked to Machar. As tensions rise, military presence has intensified around Machar's residence in the capital, Juba, with roads to his house blocked by tanks and soldiers.
Having previously led forces against President Salva Kiir during a brutal civil war that claimed nearly 400,000 lives, Machar has been under house arrest since March. His position has since become precarious, with calls for stability from international stakeholders, including the UN and the African Union.
The fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement, which brought an end to years of bloodshed, hangs in the balance amid accusations and the resurfacing of ethnic tensions between communities. As the situation evolves, the possibility of escalating violence remains a critical concern for the region.
