Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon was born in 1953 in South Sudan. He served as the Vice President of the youngest country in Africa, South Sudan, from 2011 to 2013 when he was dismissed by President Salva Kiir.
After his dismissal, Machar formed his rebel group and named it SPLM-IO.This is the same group that has been fighting Mr Kiir’s government with the aim of dethroning the president.
Riek Machar spent his early years in Sudan where he pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of Khartoum and later joined the University of Bradford. He later graduated with a PhD in Strategic planning.
In 1984, shortly after his graduation, he joined the rebel group in Sudan, alongside the late John Garang.
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.
Dr Machar, who is still at large after his aborted coup, is blessed with a wife (Anelina Tonie) and four children.
The former president is determined to take over power in South Sudan but a determined Kiir is not ready to give up yet.
Wealth
Dr Machar is extremely walthy.The PhD holder owns several houses in Kenya, including two mansions in Runda, Nairobi estimated to be worthy $2 million.
His total net worth is approximately $ 50 million.
Machar also deals with oil and transport business.
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