Riek Machar: The Turbulent Path of South Sudan's Vice President

The story covers the complex political landscape surrounding South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar. Despite a 2018 peace deal, tensions with President Salva Kiir persist, threatening renewed conflict. Machar's storied past includes a controversial role in Sudan's independence fight and fluctuating alliances highlighted by his ceremonial 'dang' stick.

Riek Machar's recent house arrest highlights the ongoing turbulence in South Sudan's politics. The rivalry with President Salva Kiir, which brewed during their early 70s leadership in a five-year civil war, remains a looming threat despite a 2018 peace accord.

The civil war, launched in 2013, caused catastrophic ethnic divisions between Dinka forces led by Kiir and Nuer fighters allied with Machar. Although a peace agreement was reached, its implementation has faced constant hurdles as ethnic tensions persist, igniting fears of another conflict.

Accusations of collaboration with militias and political maneuvering showcase Machar's contentious leadership. His long-standing associations from Sudan's independence fight to the present underscore his influential role, further symbolized by keeping the ceremonial "dang" stick, a Nuer tribal artifact.

(With inputs from agencies.)