Riek Machar

Riek Machar is a South Sudanese politician and former Vice President of South Sudan, serving from 2011 to 2013 and again from 2020 to present. He is the leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition and has played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence, working closely with John Garang, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and other key figures, including Omar al-Bashir and Yoweri Museveni. Machar's political career has been marked by periods of cooperation and conflict with various leaders, including Joseph Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army. His involvement in regional politics has also led to interactions with organizations such as the African Union, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

● Early Life and Education

Riek Machar was born in 1952 in Leer, South Sudan, to a family of Nuer ethnicity. He attended Khartoum University in Sudan, where he studied pharmacology and later earned a Ph.D. in strategic studies from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. During his time at university, Machar was influenced by the ideas of Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, and other prominent African nationalist leaders, including Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. His education and early experiences shaped his political views, which were further informed by interactions with Milton Obote, Idi Amin, and other key figures in Ugandan politics and the East African Community.

● Political Career

Machar's entry into politics was marked by his involvement in the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), led by John Garang, where he worked alongside other notable figures, including Salva Kiir Mayardit, James Wani Igga, and Taban Deng Gai. He played a crucial role in the Second Sudanese Civil War, which involved the Sudanese government, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, and other groups, such as the Lord's Resistance Army and the Uganda People's Defence Force. Machar's political career has been shaped by his relationships with regional leaders, including Yoweri Museveni, Paul Kagame, and Uhuru Kenyatta, as well as international organizations like the United Nations Security Council, the African Union Commission, and the European Union. His leadership of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition has led to interactions with a range of actors, from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to the United States Department of State and the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

● Military Career

As a military leader, Machar has been involved in several key conflicts, including the Bor massacre and the Battle of Malakal, which pitted the Sudan People's Liberation Army against the Sudanese Armed Forces and other groups, such as the Janjaweed and the White Army. His military career has been marked by periods of cooperation and conflict with various leaders, including John Garang, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and Joseph Kony, as well as interactions with regional and international organizations, such as the African Union Mission in Sudan, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, and the European Union Naval Force. Machar's military experience has been influenced by his relationships with other military leaders, including Mwai Kibaki, Daniel arap Moi, and Meles Zenawi, as well as his involvement in regional security initiatives, such as the East African Community and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

● Personal Life

Machar is married to Angelina Teny, a fellow politician and former Minister of Social Welfare in the Government of South Sudan. His personal life has been shaped by his experiences as a refugee and his involvement in the South Sudanese diaspora, which has led to interactions with a range of international organizations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Rescue Committee. Machar's relationships with other leaders, including Omar al-Bashir, Hassan al-Turabi, and Isaias Afwerki, have also played a significant role in his personal and political life, as have his connections to regional and international institutions, such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.

● Controversies and Criticisms

Machar's career has been marked by several controversies, including his involvement in the Bor massacre and his role in the South Sudanese Civil War, which has pitted the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition against the Government of South Sudan and other groups, such as the White Army and the Lord's Resistance Army. He has faced criticism from a range of actors, including the United Nations Security Council, the African Union Commission, and the European Union, as well as human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Machar's relationships with other leaders, including Salva Kiir Mayardit, Yoweri Museveni, and Uhuru Kenyatta, have also been the subject of controversy, as have his interactions with international organizations, such as the International Criminal Court and the United States Department of the Treasury.