South Sudan’s fragile peace is teetering on the edge as tensions between the government and opposition forces surge, raising fears of renewed civil conflict in the world’s youngest nation.
The crisis intensified this week after the government formally charged First Vice President Riek Machar with treason, murder, and crimes against humanity—allegations linked to a deadly militia attack in Upper Nile State earlier this year. Machar, already under house arrest, was swiftly removed from his role in the transitional government, a move widely seen as a blow to the 2018 peace accord that ended five years of brutal civil war.
In response, Machar’s party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), issued a defiant call for regime change, accusing President Salva Kiir of orchestrating a political crackdown to eliminate rivals and entrench power. Acting party chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino described the charges as “political persecution,” and urged supporters to enlist for national service to “defend the citizens and the nation.”
The alleged attack, carried out by the Nuer-led “White Army” militia, reportedly left more than 250 soldiers dead. While the government claims Machar masterminded the assault, SPLM-IO denies any involvement and insists the accusations are part of a broader campaign to dismantle the opposition.
Former lawmaker Juol Nhomngek Daniel echoed the party’s stance, warning that the fallout could trigger widespread instability. “The ensuing conflict will be chaotic,” he told AFP, “resulting in widespread insecurity.”
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, has struggled to maintain peace since its descent into civil war in 2013. The 2018 agreement brought a fragile truce and a unity government, but implementation has stalled. Key reforms remain incomplete, and elections originally slated for 2024 have been pushed to 2026, deepening public frustration.
International observers are sounding the alarm. The United Nations recently cautioned that South Sudan is “regressing dangerously,” threatening to undo years of progress. With both sides hardening their positions and rhetoric escalating, prospects for reconciliation are dimming—leaving the country at a perilous crossroads.
