By Deborah Akur Chol, South Sudan
The United Nations has called upon South Sudanese authorities to ensure that any legal proceedings against suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and seven others adhere to international standards of fairness and transparency. This statement was made on Friday as the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed its commitment to closely monitor the situation following the announcement of legal charges against Machar and his associates by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric emphasized the importance of judicial proceedings being conducted with full respect for the rule of law and human rights. “Any judicial proceeding should adhere to international standards of fairness and transparency,” he stated during a daily press briefing.
This development occurs as South Sudan commemorates the seventh anniversary of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, which was signed in 2018 to bring an end to years of civil war. However, the implementation of this agreement has been sluggish, with rising tensions due to political stalemate and increasing violence.
The United Nations has urged all involved parties to de-escalate tensions and prioritize the welfare of the South Sudanese people. Dujarric remarked, “As the political and security situation continues to deteriorate, it is crucial that the country’s leaders prioritize the interests of their citizens.”
Furthermore, the UN has issued renewed warnings regarding the worsening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, where an estimated half of the population faces severe food insecurity, coupled with mass displacement and economic turmoil.
On Thursday, Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech announced that Machar and seven others are formally charged with murder, treason, and crimes against humanity. These charges stem from a March attack on a military base in Nasir, Upper Nile state, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 250 soldiers. Authorities allege that the assault was conducted by the White Army militia under Machar’s command.
That same evening, President Salva Kiir suspended Machar from his position, along with Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chuol, pending the results of the trial.
On Friday, Machar met with a team of defense lawyers in Juba, marking his first consultation with legal counsel since being placed under house arrest by security forces in March.
As calls for calm grow louder from the UN, African Union, and neighboring countries, it is worth noting that the 2018 peace agreement signed by Kiir and Machar ended a brutal conflict that claimed nearly 400,000 lives. Unfortunately, relations between the two leaders have since soured amid ongoing ethnic tensions and sporadic violence.
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