South Sudan has charged its first Vice President, Riek Machar with murder, treason and crimes against humanity.
Riek Machar is also accused of conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property and military assets and other crimes.
This stems from his alleged involvement in attacks against the country’s federal forces in March this year, by a militia allegedly linked to him.
Two other top ranking government officials deemed to be Machar’s allies have also been charged alongside Machar. They are the country’s Army Deputy Chief of Staff, Gabriel Duop Lam and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol.
“These crimes were marked by gross violations of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, including the desecration of corpses, persecution of civilians and attacks on humanitarian workers,” Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech told AFP.
Riek Machar has been on house arrest since March after he and his allies were arrested with some detained over accusations, he fueled the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to fight government forces.
Machar and South Sudan’s president, Salva Kirr are known political rivals despite being former leaders of the SPLM rebel movement that brought South Sudan independence in 2011.
The treason charges further deepen the cracks between the two leaders of the world’s youngest country, sparking fears of civil unrest.
Meanwhile, the country’s opposition has accused the Salva Kiir-led government of attempting to enforce a “one-tribe rule” through authoritarian control.
