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| Riek Machar: South Sudan vice-president charged with murder and treason | Riek Machar: South Sudan vice-president charged with murder and treason |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Riek Machar has been under house arrest since March | Riek Machar has been under house arrest since March |
| South Sudan's First Vice-President Riek Machar has been charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity in a move that some fear could reignite the country's civil war. | South Sudan's First Vice-President Riek Machar has been charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity in a move that some fear could reignite the country's civil war. |
| Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech said the charges against Machar relate to an attack in March by a militia allegedly linked to the vice-president. | Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech said the charges against Machar relate to an attack in March by a militia allegedly linked to the vice-president. |
| The roads leading to his house in the capital, Juba, have been blocked by tanks and soldiers. | The roads leading to his house in the capital, Juba, have been blocked by tanks and soldiers. |
| Forces loyal to Machar fought a five-year civil war against those backing President Salva Kiir until a 2018 peace deal ending the fighting in the world's newest country. | Forces loyal to Machar fought a five-year civil war against those backing President Salva Kiir until a 2018 peace deal ending the fighting in the world's newest country. |
| Machar has been under house arrest since March, with the UN, African Union and neighbouring countries all calling for calm. | Machar has been under house arrest since March, with the UN, African Union and neighbouring countries all calling for calm. |
| Why fears are growing of a return of civil war to South Sudan | Why fears are growing of a return of civil war to South Sudan |
| Helicopter pilot recounts flying under gunfire in daring rescue mission | Helicopter pilot recounts flying under gunfire in daring rescue mission |
| The 2018 peace deal ended the conflict that had killed nearly 400,000 people, however the relationship between Machar and Kiir has become increasingly strained amid ethnic tensions and sporadic violence. | The 2018 peace deal ended the conflict that had killed nearly 400,000 people, however the relationship between Machar and Kiir has become increasingly strained amid ethnic tensions and sporadic violence. |
| Seven others have been charged alongside Machar, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt Gen Gabriel Duop Lam, Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech said in a statement. | Seven others have been charged alongside Machar, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt Gen Gabriel Duop Lam, Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech said in a statement. |
| They are all Machar allies who were arrested at the same time as him and have also been in detention ever since. Another 13 suspects remain at large, the minister said. | They are all Machar allies who were arrested at the same time as him and have also been in detention ever since. Another 13 suspects remain at large, the minister said. |
| The March attack was carried out by the White Army militia, largely made up of fighters from the Nuer ethnic group, the same as Machar. | |
| They overran an army base in the north-eastern town of Nasir, reportedly killing 250 soldiers and a general. A UN helicopter also came under fire, leading to the death of its pilot. | They overran an army base in the north-eastern town of Nasir, reportedly killing 250 soldiers and a general. A UN helicopter also came under fire, leading to the death of its pilot. |
| "This case sends a clear message: those who commit atrocities against the people of South Sudan, against our armed forces, and against humanitarian personnel will be held accountable, no matter their position or political influence," the justice minister said. | "This case sends a clear message: those who commit atrocities against the people of South Sudan, against our armed forces, and against humanitarian personnel will be held accountable, no matter their position or political influence," the justice minister said. |
| He added that as the matter was now before the courts, it should not be subject to political or diplomatic debate until a judicial pronouncement is made. | He added that as the matter was now before the courts, it should not be subject to political or diplomatic debate until a judicial pronouncement is made. |
| Machar has not commented on the allegation that he was behind the attack. | Machar has not commented on the allegation that he was behind the attack. |
| South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011 following decades of conflict. | South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011 following decades of conflict. |
| But within two years, civil war broke out. | But within two years, civil war broke out. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
| Mystery in South Sudan after sacked spy boss mired in gun battle | Mystery in South Sudan after sacked spy boss mired in gun battle |
| Salva Kiir: The president in a cowboy hat | Salva Kiir: The president in a cowboy hat |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica |