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Riek Machar

Riek Machar
Riek Machar VOA photo.jpg
1st First Vice President of South Sudan
In office
26 April 2016 – 23 July 2016
President Salva Kiir Mayardit
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Taban Deng Gai
1st Vice President of South Sudan
In office
9 July 2011 – 23 July 2013
President Salva Kiir Mayardit
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by James Wani Igga
2nd Vice President of Southern Sudan
In office
11 August 2005 – 9 July 2011
President Salva Kiir Mayardit
Preceded by Salva Kiir Mayardit
Succeeded by Position abolished
Personal details
Born Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon
1953 (age 63–64)
Leer, Unity State, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
(Now South Sudan)
Nationality South Sudanese
Political party Sudan People's Liberation Movement
Other political
affiliations
Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition
Spouse(s)

Emma McCune

Angelina Teny
Children 4
Alma mater University of Khartoum
University of Bradford
Religion Presbyterian
Military service
Nickname(s) SENNAR
Allegiance SPLA, SPLA-Nasir

Emma McCune

Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon (born 1953) is a South Sudanese politician who served as the inaugural Vice President of South Sudan, from its independence in 2011 until his dismissal in 2013. Between April and July 2016 Machar served as the First Vice President of South Sudan. He now leads the rebel faction opposing Salva Kiir known as SPLM-IO.

Machar obtained a PhD in strategic planning in 1984 and then joined the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005). Riek fell out with the SPLM/A leader John Garang in 1991 and formed a splinter group, the SPLM/A-Nasir. In 1997 Riek made a treaty with the Government of Sudan and became head of the government-backed South Sudan Defense Force (SSDF). In 2000 he left the SSDF and formed a new militia, the Sudan People's Defense Forces/Democratic Front (SPDF), and in 2002 rejoined the SPLA as a senior commander. After the death of John Garang in July 2005, Riek Machar became vice-president of the autonomous Southern Sudan. He became vice-president of South Sudan on 9 July 2011 when the country became independent, but was dismissed from office by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on 23 July 2016.

Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon was born in Leer, Unity State in 1953, the 26th son of the chief of Ayod and Leer. He was brought up as a member of the Presbyterian church. Machar belongs to the Dok section of the Nuer people. He trained as an engineer at Khartoum University, and obtained a PhD in Philosophy and strategic planning from the University of Bradford in 1984.


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