Machar’s office questions UN over ‘Former First Vice President’ label

JUBA – The office of suspended First Vice President Dr Riek Machar has formally questioned the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) over its use of the term “former First Vice President” in a recent security broadcast, demanding clarification on whether the global body is implying that Machar has been removed from office.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Puok Both Baluang, Acting Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President and spokesperson for the SPLM/A (IO), said the reference raises serious legal and political concerns, particularly as Machar remains under suspension pending the outcome of his ongoing trial.

“The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in South Sudan owes us an explanation regarding the identity of the ‘former First Vice President’ mentioned in the safety/security broadcast,” Puok said.

He questioned whether the UN agency was referring to Machar or “another individual,” adding that if the reference was indeed to him, UNDSS must clarify “on what basis” it concluded that he had been removed from office.

“If UNDSS is indeed referring to Dr Machar—who is the only incumbent First Vice President currently subject to the ongoing sham trial—on what basis did UNDSS conclude that he has been removed from office?” he asked.

The controversy stems from a security advisory issued by UNDSS announcing that the court session for the trial of the “former First Vice President and others” scheduled for 23 February 2026 had been postponed.

“Please be informed that the ongoing court session for the trial of the former First Vice President and others scheduled tomorrow, 23 February 2026, has been put off,” the UNDSS statement read.

It said the postponement followed information received by the Security Operations Centre (SOC) from a host government liaison officer, and assured that there would be no movement restrictions on the scheduled date.

While the message appeared to focus primarily on security arrangements for UN personnel, the use of the word “former” triggered immediate reaction from Machar’s camp.

Machar was suspended by President Salva Kiir in September 2025, hours after he and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chuol were formally charged with treason.

The charges relate to a March 2025 attack on an army base in Nasir, Upper Nile State. Machar and several other members of the SPLM/A (IO) are currently facing trial, which his supporters have described as politically motivated.

However, there has been no official government announcement declaring Machar’s removal from the position of First Vice President.

In December 2025, the Council of Ministers endorsed Vice President for the Gender and Youth Cluster Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior to temporarily assume leadership of the governance cluster, citing the need to maintain government functionality following Machar’s suspension. On 9 January 2026, Nyandeng formally assumed Machar’s duties temporarily.

Under the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, the position of First Vice President is allocated to the SPLM/A (IO) as part of the power-sharing arrangement between former warring parties.

Machar’s office appears concerned that labelling him as “former” could be interpreted as recognition of a permanent removal—an issue that would carry significant implications for the peace deal and the country’s fragile transitional framework.

At the time of publication, UNDSS had not publicly clarified the wording used in its advisory.