07/01/2026
Salva Kiir Mayardit and Riek Machar Teny: Leaders Whose Political Violence Devastated South Sudan
South Sudan was born in 2011 with immense hope, sacrifice, and international goodwill. After decades of struggle, its people dreamed of peace, unity, and development. However, that dream was shattered largely by the political rivalry and violent power struggle between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his former deputy, Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
The conflict between these two leaders did not remain a political disagreement; it turned into a brutal civil war that devastated the nation. In December 2013, tensions within the ruling SPLM erupted into armed violence, dividing the country along political and ethnic lines. What followed was widespread killing of civilians, mass displacement, destruction of towns, and the collapse of public institutions.
Salva Kiir, as the sitting president and commander-in-chief, bears responsibility for using state power and security forces in ways that fueled violence rather than protecting citizens. His government presided over severe human rights abuses, shrinking political space, corruption, and militarization of governance. Instead of building inclusive institutions, power became centralized, and dissent was often met with force.
Riek Machar, on the other hand, chose armed rebellion as a means to challenge Kiir’s leadership. While presenting himself as a reformer, his decision to mobilize violence plunged the country deeper into chaos. Forces loyal to him were also implicated in serious atrocities against civilians, further deepening ethnic divisions and prolonging suffering.
Together, Kiir and Machar turned personal ambition into a national tragedy. Their repeated failure to honor peace agreements, including the 2015 and 2018 revitalized peace deals, showed a lack of genuine commitment to peace. Each return to fighting destroyed trust, delayed recovery, and robbed a generation of South Sudanese of education, safety, and opportunity.
The consequences of their rivalry are clear: millions displaced, hundreds of thousands dead, an economy in ruins, and a population dependent on humanitarian aid. While ordinary citizens struggled to survive, political elites continued to compete for power and resources.
South Sudan’s tragedy is not only a story of two men, but their leadership symbolizes the failure of a political culture that prioritizes power over people. True peace will require accountability, new leadership, and a rejection of violence as a tool of politics.
History will remember Salva Kiir Mayardit and Riek Machar Teny not for liberating South Sudan, but for leading it into one of the most painful chapters of its existence. The future of the country depends on learning from this failure and choosing a different path—one grounded in justice, unity, and service to the people.
