South Sudan's First Vice-President Riek Machar has been charged with murder, treason, and crimes against humanity in a move that some fear could reignite the country's civil war.
Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech stated that the charges against Machar relate to an attack in March by a militia allegedly linked to him. The roads surrounding his residence in the capital city, Juba, are currently barricaded by tanks and troops, signaling heightened security.
Machar has been under house arrest since March, amidst growing international calls from the UN, African Union, and neighboring countries for calm. His relationship with President Salva Kiir has soured in recent times, underlined by ethnic tensions and sporadic violence.
The 2018 peace accord that ended a brutal civil war, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 400,000 people, seems increasingly fragile as the situation escalates. The forthcoming actions from both local authorities and the international community will be crucial in determining whether South Sudan can navigate this political turmoil without resorting to violence.
