Amid the power vacuum, Benjamin Bol Mel has emerged as a central figure, recently appointed as Deputy Chairman of the ruling SPLM party, putting him in a strong position to succeed the ailing President Salva Kiir. But as Bol Mel consolidates influence, many South Sudanese are drawing uncomfortable comparisons to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s alleged treatment of opposition figures like Bobi Wine.
🔥 A Brewing Storm?
South Sudanese citizens, particularly from the Nuer community, are expressing fears that Bol Mel could be using political maneuvering and foreign military alliances to eliminate opposition and silence dissent, much like what has been reported in Uganda.
There are unconfirmed reports that Ugandan troops have entered strategic locations in South Sudan — including regions historically aligned with the Nuer — raising alarms about the potential for targeted political and ethnic suppression.
“If this is Museveni’s playbook being used in South Sudan, then we’re headed for another disaster,” said one community leader in Juba.
🛑 Is Machar Being Silenced?
Dr. Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM/A-IO, has not made a public appearance in recent days, prompting widespread speculation about his safety and freedom of movement. Following the suspension of 33 top SPLM/A-IO officials — including his wife, Interior Minister Angelina Teny — concerns have intensified that Machar may be under house arrest, or worse, isolated to prevent him from contesting leadership.
The removal of his key allies and a campaign to delegitimize SPLM/A-IO’s role in government appear to many as signs of a calculated power grab.
🧭 A Nation on Edge
South Sudan’s future remains deeply uncertain. The people are watching closely, and many are warning that if Dr. Machar’s fate is not clarified soon, and if efforts to silence opposition and deploy foreign troops continue unchecked, civil unrest could erupt once again.
In the streets, online, and within the political class, one question echoes loudly:
Where is Riek Machar?
