<p>In this episode of <em>The Horn</em>, Alan is joined by Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, to discuss the trial of South Sudan’s first vice president and former rebel leader Riek Machar. They trace Machar’s rise and how he became a central, polarising figure in South Sudanese politics. They unpack the charges against Machar over his alleged role in a March 2025 attack on an army base in Nasir. They discuss the timing of the proceedings as South Sudanese elite jockey over the eventual succession of President Salva Kiir amid mounting speculation over his health. They also explore what to expect from the trial, what its outcome could mean for the risk of deepening violence and for the 2018 peace deal, and whether there remains a viable path to dialogue among South Sudan’s elites to ease tensions.</p><br><p>For more, check out our Analyst’s Notebook “<a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/south-sudan/criminal-charges-against-south-sudans-vice-president-threaten-new-twist-conflict" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Criminal Charges against South Sudan’s Vice President Threaten New Twist in Conflict</a>”, our recent episode “<a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/south-sudan/south-sudan-quakes-heir-apparent-rises" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">As South Sudan Quakes, an Heir Apparent Rises</a>”, and our briefing “<a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/south-sudan/b207-succession-fever-deepens-south-sudans-malaise" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Succession Fever Deepens South Sudan’s Malaise</a>”.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The Horn

International Crisis Group

The Trial of South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar

OCT 30, 202533 MIN
The Horn

The Trial of South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar

OCT 30, 202533 MIN

Description

<p>In this episode of <em>The Horn</em>, Alan is joined by Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, to discuss the trial of South Sudan’s first vice president and former rebel leader Riek Machar. They trace Machar’s rise and how he became a central, polarising figure in South Sudanese politics. They unpack the charges against Machar over his alleged role in a March 2025 attack on an army base in Nasir. They discuss the timing of the proceedings as South Sudanese elite jockey over the eventual succession of President Salva Kiir amid mounting speculation over his health. They also explore what to expect from the trial, what its outcome could mean for the risk of deepening violence and for the 2018 peace deal, and whether there remains a viable path to dialogue among South Sudan’s elites to ease tensions.</p><br><p>For more, check out our Analyst’s Notebook “<a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/south-sudan/criminal-charges-against-south-sudans-vice-president-threaten-new-twist-conflict" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Criminal Charges against South Sudan’s Vice President Threaten New Twist in Conflict</a>”, our recent episode “<a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/south-sudan/south-sudan-quakes-heir-apparent-rises" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">As South Sudan Quakes, an Heir Apparent Rises</a>”, and our briefing “<a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/south-sudan/b207-succession-fever-deepens-south-sudans-malaise" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Succession Fever Deepens South Sudan’s Malaise</a>”.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>