BBC Gossip
  • Home
  • Health
  • News
  • Crime
  • Local News
  • People
  • Guest Post
BBC Gossip
BBC Gossip
  • Home
  • News
  • Health
  • People
  • Celebrities
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Finance
  • Guest Post
Home Concerns about potential civil conflict in South Sudan arise from the political competition between the president and his deputy.
  • Local News

Concerns about potential civil conflict in South Sudan arise from the political competition between the president and his deputy.

    Fears of civil war in South Sudan stem from political rivalry between the president and his deputy
    Up next
    Georgia mom’s Walmart trip devolves into ‘tug-of-warring’ in desperate attempt to save her son
    A mother from Georgia gets caught in a struggle at Walmart while trying to rescue her son
    Published on 28 March 2025
    Author
    BBC Gossip

    Tensions are escalating in South Sudan after the arrest of Riek Machar, one of the country’s vice presidents, in the capital city of Kampala.

    Machar’s arrest in Juba on Wednesday followed detentions of his allies in the government and the army, including the army’s deputy chief.

    Machar’s political faction declared on Thursday that the 2018 peace agreement, which has been instrumental in maintaining some level of peace following a devastating civil war, is essentially null and void. This development has sparked concerns of a resurgence of hostilities as government forces under President Salva Kiir clash with troops and militias supporting Machar.

    Here’s a look at the issues underpinning the conflict in South Sudan:

    Why is there friction between Kiir and Machar?

    Salva Kiir and Riek Machar have been prominent figures in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), a rebel group that played a significant role in achieving South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011.

    But they are from rival ethnic groups: Kiir is from the Dinka, the largest, and Machar is from the Nuer, the second-largest.

    Their military rivalry began in the 1990s, when Machar led a breakaway unit that drew accusations of treachery against him. Amid the split, forces loyal to Machar carried out a massacre in the town of Bor that targeted the Dinka, angering rebel commander Kiir and John Garang, the movement’s now-deceased political figurehead.

    Fighting among southerners briefly undermined their struggle for independence, but it also planted lifelong distrust between Kiir and Machar.

    Analysts say Machar and Kiir don’t see eye to eye even as they work together, and their feud has grown over the years as Machar waits his turn to become president and Kiir hangs on in the presidency.

    In 2013, citing a coup plot, Kiir fired Machar as his deputy, and later that year violence erupted in Juba as government soldiers loyal to Kiir fought those devoted to Machar in the start of a civil war that killed an estimated 400,000 people.

    What does Machar want?

    Machar has served as South Sudan’s No. 2 official on and off since 2011. But there have been no elections since then, keeping him in the deputy’s position and without real executive authority.

    Machar’s wish is to become president in fulfilment of a century-old prophecy by a seer from his tribe who predicted that a man with a gap between his front teeth and left-handed would one day lead the nation. Machar, who has three university degrees, believes himself to be that man.

    The superstition can seem odd, but many people see it as one factor fueling Machar’s ambitions.

    Tensions between Machar and Kiir have grown with the repeated postponement of elections in South Sudan. A vote is now scheduled for December 2026, security conditions allowing, and Machar is expected to be a candidate.

    He describes Kiir as a dictator, saying his unilateral political maneuvers, including firing officials, undermine the peace agreement that brought them together in a government of unity.

    What’s in the 2018 peace agreement?

    The agreement, signed with the support of the U.S. and others, included security guarantees for Machar to be able to return to Juba as Kiir’s deputy.

    Fighters loyal to him are located at different sites in the country, and a key element of the agreement was the envisaged creation of a unified army command that incorporates soldiers loyal to Machar.

    But efforts in this direction have been slow, and Kiir has been accused of undermining the process by making irregular military recruitments and purging army officers deemed not to be faithful to him.

    Machar is also at a disadvantage in the contest with Kiir because he doesn’t control the internal security apparatus, much of which is informal.

    A major escalation of tensions happened in March when a Nuer militia, known as the White Army, seized an army garrison in Nasir, a town in Upper Nile state that’s a stronghold of Machar.

    Later, when a U.N. helicopter went to rescue government troops stranded there, it was attacked. Dozens were killed, including a miliary general who was the top commander of government troops there. While the violence is still largely restricted to Upper Nile, “the tinder is dangerously dry elsewhere,” according to the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank.

    How is Kiir able to stay in power?

    Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is Kiir’s key ally. In 2013, when the conflict first emerged, Museveni deployed Ugandan special forces who foiled attempts by Machar’s forces to take power in Juba.

    Museveni has deployed troops again this time, in defiance of a U.N. arms embargo on South Sudan, but potentially helping to avoid an escalation of fighting between the warring parties. The Ugandan military says the deployment was in fact an effort to keep the peace process intact by firming up Kiir over Machar.

    Kiir also controls the National Security Service, or NSS, the dreaded domestic spy agency whose agents are authorized to make arrests without warrants. The agency reports to the president, who routinely shuffles its leaders.

    The NSS is “a vital tool in the government’s campaign of silencing dissent,” according to New York-based Human Rights Watch.

    The Sentry, a Washington-based watchdog, says of the NSS that it “stands out as particularly ruthless, secretive, and well-funded. Fear of the NSS is pervasive in South Sudan, and for good reason.”

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    You May Also Like
    A look at South Sudan, where the US is accused of quietly sending migrants
    • Local News

    Examining South Sudan: Accusations of the US secretively relocating immigrants

    When South Sudan gained independence, the United States celebrated the event. However,…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 21, 2025
    Trump confronts South African leader with baseless claims of the systematic killing of white farmers
    • Local News

    Trump accuses South African leader of baseless claims about white farmers being killed systematically

    According to experts in South Africa, there is no evidence to support…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 21, 2025
    The crypto industry saw Trump as a champion. Some now fear he's putting personal profits first
    • Local News

    Some in the crypto industry initially viewed Trump favorably. Concerns now arise about his prioritization of personal gain.

    WASHINGTON – The cryptocurrency industry, which has long desired mainstream acceptance, saw…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 22, 2025
    5 German teens arrested in far-right plot to attack migrants, political rivals
    • Local News

    Police detained 5 German teenagers for planning to harm migrants and political opponents within a far-right conspiracy.

    The group viewed themselves as the final option for safeguarding the “German…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 21, 2025
    Why are more shoppers struggling to repay 'buy now, pay later' loans?
    • Local News

    What is causing a rise in difficulties for shoppers repaying ‘buy now, pay later’ loans?

    Buy now, pay later plans through companies like Affirm, Afterpay and Klarna…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 22, 2025
    House Republicans grinding ahead with Trump's big tax cuts bill, but new report says it will add to deficit
    • Local News

    House Republicans Pushing Forward with Trump’s Major Tax Cuts Bill, Despite New Report Showing Increase in Deficit

    The extensive 1,000-plus-page bill primarily focuses on the extension of tax breaks…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 21, 2025
    Pope Leo XIV calls for aid to reach Gaza and an end to hostilities in his first general audience
    • Local News

    Pope Leo XIV urges for assistance to reach Gaza and for a stop to the fighting in his initial public appearance

    VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV made a plea on Wednesday for…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 21, 2025
    RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' report worries farmers, Republicans ahead of release
    • Local News

    Report about ‘Make America Healthy Again’ by RFK Jr. concerns farmers and Republicans before launch

    WASHINGTON – The White House is preparing to release a long-awaited report…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 21, 2025
    2025 David Njoku Celebrity Softball Game roster revealed: See which athletes, musicians and influencers are attending
    • Local News

    Celebrity Softball Game Roster for 2025 David Njoku event announced: Check out the lineup of athletes, musicians, and influencers attending

    The game will take place on Thursday, June 19 at Classic Auto…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 21, 2025
    Two people injured in shooting in Aurora neighborhood
    • Local News

    Two individuals hurt in Aurora neighborhood shooting

    AURORA, Colo. — Two people were taken to the hospital after a…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 22, 2025
    Sanctuary expanding as more captive-bred foxes are surrendered by pet owners: Ready Pet GO!
    • Local News

    Expansion of Sanctuary Accommodating More Captive-Bred Foxes Surrendered by Pet Owners: Ready Pet GO!

    The rescue of a rare silver fox named Lake brings attention to…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 21, 2025
    Fire assessment fee approved to support Brevard firefighter pay
    • Local News

    Fee for fire assessment endorsed to help increase pay for Brevard firefighters

    BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – To allow for better pay for firefighters, commissioners…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 21, 2025

    Recent Posts

    • Two individuals hurt in Aurora neighborhood shooting
    • Lawyers of murder suspect in Idaho request trial delay due to biased TV show
    • Trump administration requests court to keep Abrego Garcia documents sealed
    • Some in the crypto industry initially viewed Trump favorably. Concerns now arise about his prioritization of personal gain.
    • Kourtney Kardashian criticizes Caitlyn Jenner for being ‘controlling’ as she responds to criticism for being ‘out of touch’
    Two people injured in shooting in Aurora neighborhood
    • Local News

    Two individuals hurt in Aurora neighborhood shooting

    AURORA, Colo. — Two people were taken to the hospital after a…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 22, 2025
    Idaho murder suspect's lawyers demand trial postponement over 'prejudicial' TV special
    • US

    Lawyers of murder suspect in Idaho request trial delay due to biased TV show

    Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger, who has been accused of killing four University…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 22, 2025
    Trump admin asks court not to unseal Abrego Garcia documents
    • Crime

    Trump administration requests court to keep Abrego Garcia documents sealed

    President Donald Trump pauses as he speaks in the Oval Office of…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 22, 2025
    The crypto industry saw Trump as a champion. Some now fear he's putting personal profits first
    • Local News

    Some in the crypto industry initially viewed Trump favorably. Concerns now arise about his prioritization of personal gain.

    WASHINGTON – The cryptocurrency industry, which has long desired mainstream acceptance,…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 22, 2025
    BBC Gossip
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • News
    • Local News
    • Health
    • Crime
    • Guest Post