South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar faces a number of serious charges, which potentially carry severe punishment, including life imprisonment or death.

As a result, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on Thursday night, suspended Machar from office "pending court trial," the presidency said.

The announcement, contained in a presidential decree, was read out on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC).

Also suspended is the country's Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, a close ally of Machar.

'Treason, crimes against humanity'

Earlier on Thursday, South Sudan's Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech said that First Vice President Machar will answer to charges relating to treason, murder, and crimes against humanity.

In early March, an armed group from Machar's ethnic Nuer community, known as the White Army, attacked a military base in Nasir County, Upper Nile State in the northeast of the country.

The government says Machar was responsible and has now charged him and 20 others with serious crimes, including conspiracy against the state and destruction of public property.

The military base in Nasir was overrun by the White Army between March 3 and 7, 2025.

Machar's party denies allegations

"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," Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech said on Thursday.

Machar's political party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), has, on several occasions, rejected allegations that the first vice president was involved in the Nasir military base raid.