South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, could be removed from his position and face trial if an ongoing investigation finds sufficient evidence linking him to recent violence, according to government spokesperson Michael Makuei.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, information Minister stated that Dr. Machar, who is currently under house arrest, will first be relieved from his position before any legal proceeding begins.
“He cannot be tried with his position as the first vice president,” Makuei explained. “Dr. Riek Machar will be relieved from his position so that he will face the court.”
Makuei clarified that this step would only be taken if the investigation committee concludes there is enough evidence to warrant prosecution.
“Who will do that? It is an investigation committee, they will investigate the case and once investigation is completed and they have found that there is sufficient evidence to warrant his trial then definitely, they will write to H.E, the president to request him to relieve Dr. Riek Machar from his position as the first vice president of the republic of South Sudan, so that he is taken to court,” he added.
stressing that when found innocent the case will be drop and discharged from any legal charged.
He added that if Dr. Machar is subsequently found innocent, the case would be dropped.
The government spokesperson also addressed the procedure for filling the position should it become vacant. He stated that the interim leadership of Dr. Machar’s party, the SPLM/A-IO, would be responsible for nominating a replacement.
“If this position is vacated, then the SPLM/A –IO, the current administration, will now recommend, and the president will now call the interim administration of IO to make a recommendation to fill this vacancy,” he added.
“It is they who will make necessary recommendations,” Makuei clarified.
This comes after recent violent clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the “white army,” a local militia allegedly aligned with Dr. Machar’s SPLM/A-IO faction.
In response to the clashes, the government placed Dr. Machar under house arrest and detained other SPLM-IO officials, accusing them of inciting the violence. A committee has been formed to investigate the extent of Dr. Machar’s alleged involvement.
Since then, the SPLM-IO, a key party to the 2018 agreement had fragmented, with several factions claiming legitimacy.
Although, Nathaniel Oyet, deputy chairperson of the party and the first deputy speaker of parliament, declared himself the acting chair following the detention of Dr. Machar, another group emerged in Juba, declaring Stephen Par, minister of Peace building, as the interim chairperson.
