Dr. Riek Machar and the Making of South Sudan: A Complex But Defining Legacy

By Juol Nhomngek Daniel, Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction

Monday, 16 February 2026 (PW) — The history of South Sudan’s liberation is not the story of a single individual or a single ideology. Rather, it is a long, difficult, and often contradictory struggle shaped by diverse leaders, competing visions, and painful sacrifices. Among the most influential and controversial figures in this process is Dr. Riek Machar. His political and military career embodies both the determination for independence and the internal conflicts that defined the South Sudanese struggle. To many of his supporters, Machar stands as a central architect of self-determination, whose role fundamentally shaped the path that ultimately led to independence in 2011. Understanding his contribution requires an honest and balanced reflection, recognising both his achievements and the controversies that continue to surround his legacy.

A Rising Commander in the Liberation War

Dr. Machar joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in the early years of the Second Sudanese Civil War. He rapidly rose through the ranks and became a prominent SPLA zonal commander in Western Upper Nile between 1985 and 1991. During this period, he commanded important military formations such as the Tiger, Jamus, Timsa, and Wolf battalions. Based in Leer and Tharkuer by the late 1980s, Machar was responsible for a vast operational zone stretching from the Ethiopian border to parts of the Nuba Mountains. His leadership in campaigns such as the Bright Star operations demonstrated his strategic importance within the SPLA command structure. He survived assassination attempts and major battles, including incidents in Nasir and South Kordofan, reinforcing his reputation as a resilient and determined military leader. These experiences placed him among the core commanders shaping the southern resistance against the Khartoum government led by Omar al-Bashir. At this stage, Machar was widely regarded as a committed liberation figure working alongside the SPLA leadership under John Garang.

The 1991 Nasir Declaration: A Turning Point

The most defining moment in Machar’s political life came in August 1991 with the Nasir Declaration. Together with Lam Akol and Gordon Kong, he challenged Garang’s leadership and demanded reforms within the movement. The core ideological disagreement was profound. While Garang advocated for a united, democratic Sudan, Machar insisted that the struggle must prioritise the right to self-determination for the people of Southern Sudan. This shift fundamentally altered the trajectory of the liberation struggle. Though controversial at the time, the demand for self-determination eventually became the cornerstone of negotiations that produced independence. Supporters argue that without this ideological shift, the movement might have remained focused on an unachievable vision of a unified Sudan, delaying or even preventing the birth of South Sudan as a sovereign state. However, the split also triggered devastating internal conflict. The violence that followed, including the Bor tragedy, left deep wounds in inter-communal relations. Machar later apologised and accepted responsibility, reflecting an acknowledgement of the tragic consequences of the division.

Alliance with Khartoum: Strategy or Betrayal?

Machar’s alliance with Khartoum in the 1990s remains one of the most contested chapters of his career. Critics view it as a betrayal of the liberation cause. Yet his supporters present it as a strategic attempt to force the principle of self-determination onto the national and international agenda. The 1997 Khartoum Agreement introduced, for the first time in formal negotiations, the idea of a referendum for South Sudanese independence. Although the agreement did not end the war, it established the legal and political framework that would later appear in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). From this perspective, Machar’s political manoeuvres helped normalise the concept of separation and shaped future negotiations.

Reconciliation and the Path to Independence

In 2002, Machar reconciled with John Garang, dissolving his movement and rejoining the SPLM/A. This unity proved essential in strengthening the southern negotiating position during the peace talks in Kenya. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005, signed between the Sudanese government and the SPLM/A, established the six-year interim period and the referendum that led to independence in 2011. Many historians argue that without this reunification, the South might not have achieved the international recognition and cohesion necessary to secure the agreement. The inclusion of self-determination in the CPA reflected the ideological convergence of both leaders.

Champion of Self-Determination

To his supporters, Machar is remembered as the earliest and most consistent advocate of independence. He shifted the discourse from reforming Sudan to securing the right of the South to determine its own future. In this sense, he is often described as a “father of self-determination.” His political career, grounded in what his followers consider truth and political realism, made it difficult for rivals to marginalise him. Despite conflicts, exile, and political isolation, he remained a central figure in national politics, representing a significant constituency of South Sudanese.

Controversies and Criticism

A balanced analysis must also recognise the profound criticisms of Machar. The 1991 split weakened the liberation movement and intensified intra-Southern violence. His alliance with Khartoum deepened mistrust among many South Sudanese. After independence, his rivalry with Salva Kiir contributed to the outbreak of the 2013 civil war, which resulted in immense humanitarian suffering. These events have shaped his image as both a liberator and a polarising figure.

Symbolism, Identity, and Resilience

Machar’s leadership also carries strong symbolic significance. As a leading figure from the Nuer community, he represents one of the largest constituencies in South Sudan. His association with the spiritual legacy of Ngundeng Bong and the ceremonial “dang” reflects the fusion of political, cultural, and spiritual authority in South Sudanese leadership traditions. He has survived assassination attempts, political isolation, and repeated cycles of conflict and reconciliation. This resilience has allowed him to remain central to peace processes, including the revitalised peace agreement that brought him back into government.

A Complex but Indispensable Figure

The legacy of Dr. Riek Machar is neither simple nor uncontested. It reflects the broader complexity of South Sudan’s liberation struggle, marked by courage, division, sacrifice, and political pragmatism. While some see him as responsible for divisions and suffering, others view him as a visionary who redirected the liberation movement toward independence. What is undeniable is that his role shaped the political and ideological direction of the struggle. Without his advocacy for self-determination, the course of South Sudanese history might have been significantly different. In the final analysis, Machar remains a defining actor in the story of South Sudan: a liberator to some, a controversial strategist to others, but ultimately a figure whose influence cannot be erased from the narrative of independence. His life and career demonstrate that liberation movements are rarely unified or linear; they are shaped by debate, disagreement, and competing visions.

Conclusion

South Sudan’s independence was the product of many leaders and countless sacrifices. Yet Dr. Riek Machar stands among those whose ideas and actions fundamentally transformed the struggle. His insistence on self-determination, despite opposition and personal risk, helped shape the political foundations that led to the birth of the world’s youngest nation. His legacy reminds South Sudanese and the international community alike that history is often complex, and that the path to freedom is rarely free from controversy. What matters most is the enduring commitment to peace, reform, and the realisation of the aspirations for which so many fought.

The writer, Juol Nhomngek Daniel, is a lawyer, politician, lecturer and a member of the SPLM-IO. His area of interest is constitutional, administrative, and human rights law. He can be reached via email: [email protected]

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