SSYR Condemns the Ongoing Show Trial of Dr. Riek Machar and Colleagues
For Immediate Release
The South Sudan Youth Reforms (SSYR) expresses grave concern over the ongoing trial of Dr. Riek Machar and his colleagues. We denounce this as a politically motivated vendetta orchestrated by President Salva Kiir, backed by the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE), whose shadowy role in South Sudanese politics has consistently undermined peace, unity, and justice.
❌ A Sham Trial, Not Justice
- The charges of treason, murder, and crimes against humanity are fabrications rooted in propaganda, including the discredited 1991 Nasir split narrative.
- The so-called evidence has collapsed under scrutiny in past African Union and international inquiries, proving this is about eliminating political rivals not delivering justice.
- The judiciary has been weaponized by the regime and the JCE to silence opposition and entrench tribal dominance.
🚨 The Negative Role of the JCE
- The Jieng Council of Elders has hijacked national politics, turning South Sudan into a tribal oligarchy where decisions serve elites, not the people.
- They have mismanaged national resources, ensuring oil wealth benefits a few while millions remain in poverty.
- They have supported the use of Ugandan military intervention, including helicopter gunships, to burn Nuer homes and properties in Upper Nile.
- This policy has left Nuer counties devastated, families displaced, and mistrust deepened across communities.
⚠️ A Threat to Peace and Stability
- The trial undermines the fragile Revitalized Peace Agreement by criminalizing dialogue and turning politics into persecution.
- This vendetta risks reigniting civil war, especially in Upper Nile where targeted displacement and repression persist.
- By aligning national security with tribal interests and foreign armies, the regime has destroyed sovereignty and unity.
📢 SSYR’s Position
- We call for the immediate dismissal of this sham trial and the release of all political detainees.
- We urge the AU, IGAD, and UN to intervene and ensure oversight of justice in South Sudan.
- We categorically reject the destructive influence of the JCE and demand a future built on equity, truth, and youth leadership.
🔴 Call to the Youth
South Sudanese youth must see through this deception. We call on young people in every state and administrative area to organize peacefully, reject tribal manipulation, and demand real leadership. The survival of South Sudan cannot rest on the greed of a few—it must rise on the shoulders of its people.