The Adverse Impact of Dr. Riek Machar’s Unlawful House Arrest on South Sudan
Dr. Riek Machar and Madam Angelina Teny
By Cde Dut Majokdit Nyikok, Juba, South Sudan
Thursday, 26 June 2025 (PW) — On the 26th of March 2025, while in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State-Aweil, accompanying the newly appointed Minister of Local Government and law enforcement agency, Hon. Bol Akoon Akoon to Aweil for his swearing-in ceremony, I was shocked to receive news of the arbitrary and unlawful house arrest of a great and charismatic leader , the First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar at his residence in Hai Amarat. This action was ordered by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and delivered by senior state security officials, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the Director of the internal Security Bureau, and the Chief of Staff of the SSPDF with their military tanks and armoured vehicles, and with huge security teams storming the compound of the First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar to inform him of being placed under so called house arrest by His Excellency President Kiir.
There were no formal charges that were presented to him, during 30 minutes discussion, instead, Dr Riek Machar was falsely linked to an incident that occurred in Nasir County involving clashes between the White Army and SSPDF forces. Hence, after his house arrest, a disturbing campaign of military operations was launched by the SSPDF with foreign mercenaries from Uganda against SPLA-IO cantonment sites and senior SPLM/SPLA-IO political and military officials, were arrested including Hon. Puot Kang, Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Gatwech Lam, MP, TNLA, General Gabriel Duop Lam, SPLA-IO acting chief of staff and Dr Isaiah Alfred Akol Mathiang, the Deputy Governor of Lakes state, These attacks included aerial bombardments in Upper Nile and Equatoria regions in an apparent failed attempt to eliminate the SPLM/SPLA-IO Leadership. The consequences of this unlawful arrest and military aggression have been devastating. Thousands of innocent civilians have been displaced to neighboring countries, and hundreds more have lost their lives at the hands of a government meant to protect them. Today, the majority of South Sudanese are facing a dire humanitarian crisis, lacking food, medicine, and shelter, others are struggling to get chapati on the streets of Juba and other palaces in the country.
This house arrest of Dr Riek Machar, in the absence of any legal case, has dangerously undermined Peace efforts and threatens the very foundation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU). It is evident to the people of South Sudan that these false allegations were fabricated to distract from internal crises within the political elite, a tactic of avoidance rather than engagement, the SPLM-IG political crisis should not be settled in the expense of South Sudanese citizens that are suffering to bring food on the table. Let me make this clear to the hardliners of the status quo and intellectual mercenaries that are against Dr Riek Machar due to their tribal sentiments that, there is no legitimate case against the First Vice President. His accusers fear, what they cannot defeat in a democratic contest and are instead resorting to undemocratic means to weaken his influence, that they cannot achieved, it is mischief. We are phoenix and shall emerge to rescue this country from the hands of cartels and political brokers.
The continued disregard for the calls by the international community, including the African Union, IGAD, United Nations, European Union, and regional leaders to release Dr Riek Machar and resume inclusive dialogue, will cost South Sudan more than we can afford. For three months now, the Council of Ministers has not convened. Parliament has been inactive. The entire R-TGONU is paralyzed and risks collapsing entirely unless urgent steps are taken. I, therefore, call upon President Salva Kiir Mayardit , upon his return from the United Arab Emirates to take decisive action. Declare a national dialogue on the 9th of July 2025, Release Dr Riek Machar from his unlawful house arrest. Restore the full implementation of the R-ARCSS in both letter and spirit. The legitimacy of the Revitalised transitional government of national unity is at grave risk. Without immediate dialogue and commitment to Peace, South Sudan risks regional and international isolation at a critical moment in our history. A democratic transition cannot be built on silence, suppression, or political exclusion as the SPLM in government think.
Alluta continua.
The writer is a member of the SPLM-IO Political bureau and former Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, NBGS–Aweil, based in Juba. He can be reached at Majokdit2024@gmail.com.
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