Riek Machar South Sudanese politician Date of Birth: 26.11.1952

1. Early Life and Education
2. Role in the Sudan People's Liberation Army
3. Political Career in South Sudan
4. Post-Conflict Developments
5. Alleged Ties to External Sources

Early Life and Education

Riek Machar was born in 1953 in the town of Leer, South Sudan. He belongs to the Nuer ethnic group. Machar obtained a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1984, according to some sources, while others indicate that he earned a degree in Strategic Planning.

Role in the Sudan People's Liberation Army

In 1984, Machar joined the rebel group Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) during the Second Sudanese Civil War. In 1991, he broke away from SPLA leader John Garang and formed a separate faction known as SPLA-Nasir. In 1997, he reached a ceasefire agreement with the Sudanese government and became the head of the pro-government South Sudan Defense Force. In 2000, he left the military organization and formed the new militia Forces for Sudan's Defense/Democratic Front. In 2002, he rejoined the SPLA as a senior commander.

Political Career in South Sudan

After John Garang's death in July 2005, Machar became the vice president of autonomous South Sudan. He held the position of vice president of the independent South Sudan from July 9, 2011, to July 23, 2013.

On December 16, 2013, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir announced the foiling of an attempted military coup by a group of soldiers linked to Riek Machar. The incident triggered a large-scale inter-ethnic conflict in the country.

Post-Conflict Developments

Following a ceasefire agreement between the government and rebels, Machar has been under consideration for amnesty. South Sudan's foreign minister stated that President Kiir intended to extend the amnesty to Machar "as a gesture of reconciliation." During the ceasefire, some individuals accused of involvement in the coup attempt were released, while others remain in custody.

Alleged Ties to External Sources

Machar is known for his strong political ambitions. To bolster his support and enhance his political goals, he has allegedly maintained links with the Sudanese government in Khartoum. In particular, weapons manufactured by the Chinese company Norinco are believed to have reached his forces almost exclusively via North Sudanese channels. British observers in the conflict zone noted the supply of several large consignments of heavy military equipment from Sudan to Machar's forces, including approximately 40,000 assault rifles, 5,000 rocket-propelled grenades, and 5,000 heavy machine guns of various types, along with truckloads of ammunition.