South Sudan vows to hold Machar accountable over alleged plot to rebel

JUBA – South Sudan’s government said on Friday it would investigate and hold First Vice President Riek Machar accountable for alleged actions that threatened the country’s fragile peace agreement, citing evidence of a plot to incite rebellion and disrupt upcoming elections.

This marked the government’s first official statement since Machar’s house arrest earlier in the week.

Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth told reporters in Juba that Machar, leader of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), was accused of orchestrating a covert campaign to undermine the government and prevent the holding of elections.

“Since the beginning of March, 2025, and according to intelligence and security reports, Dr. Riak Machar… had been in direct contact with his bases on the ground, specifically with politicians and commanders of the SPLM/A-IO, agitating them to rebel against the government with the aim of disrupting peace so that elections are not held and South Sudan goes back to war,” Lueth said.

He detailed a series of alleged actions, including an attack on the Nasir garrison in early March that resulted in the death of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) commander Maj. Gen. Majur Dak and the subsequent dispersal of government forces in the area.

Makuei who is also the government spokesman also claimed that on March 26, 2025, SPLM-IO forces, acting on Machar’s directives, attacked and seized control of training centers previously unified with the SSPDF.

He said President Salva Kiir Mayardit authorized Machar’s house arrest on March 26, 2025, to protect the 2018 revitalized peace agreement and prevent further destabilization.

“Based on the above and in order to save government positions, including Juba, from further attacks by SPLM/A-IO and prevent the collapse of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, 2018 (R-ARCSS), H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit… directed the placement of Dr. Riak Machar under house arrest on 26/03/2025,” Lueth said.

“Dr. Riak Machar and his anti-peace colleagues of the SPLM/A-IO, who are under arrest, will be investigated and brought to book accordingly,” he added, indicating the government’s resolve to pursue legal action.

The government urged the South Sudanese public to remain calm and continue their daily activities, dismissing rumors and social media propaganda as sources of misinformation. It also called for national, regional, and international assistance for communities affected by the ongoing conflict, highlighting the need for support in the face of escalating tensions.

“The Government calls upon the people of South Sudan to be calm and maintain peace and peaceful co-existence. The Peace Agreement is ever there and shall be implemented in letter and spirit. The Peace Agreement has not collapsed and shall not under any circumstances,” he said.