Machar still under house arrest as investigations ongoing, says Makuei

By Simon Deng

The government has said investigations into First Vice President Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, are still ongoing to determine if he is culpable for the recent deadly fighting between the White Army militia and South Sudan People’s Defense Forces in Nasir, Upper Nile State.

Michael Makuei Lueth, the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services said on Saturday that Machar’s dismissal from the transitional unity government hinges on the outcomes of the investigation.

“If the investigation committee finds that there is prima facie case against Riek Machar, then they will recommend his prosecution before court. Once they prove him to be in conflict with the law, then he cannot be tried with his position as First Vice President,” Makuei said at a press conference in Juba.

“He will have to be relieved from his position so that he faces the law, and if the investigation committee finds there is no case, the investigation committee will quash the case and the committee is competent to discharge him,” he added.

Martin Elia Lomuro, the Minister for Cabinet Affairs accused the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in opposition (SPLA-IO) of having strong links with the White Army, which experts say operates independent of the latter.

 The White Army fought alongside the SPLA-IO against government troops following outbreak of conflict in December 2013.

“When the peace agreement was signed, it was meant that we have one country, one government. If you have a military faction and you are controlling certain villages, boma or payam you surrender it to the government, but SPLA-IO continues to control and insist to maintain territories,” he said.

Joseph Geng Akech, the Minister of Youth and Sports claimed that White Army was influenced by the SPLM/A-IO to attack the SSPDF base in Nasir, adding that they plan to undertake reconciliation processes in Upper Nile to resolve the conflict.

 Machar, was detained on March 26 2025 following the earlier arrests of his key allies such as Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, the Chief –of-Staff of the SPLA-IO and Puot Kang Chol, Minister of Petroleum and others over accusations of instigating the fighting in Nasir.