The R-TGoNU Ceases to Function Without the First Vice President H.E Dr. Riek Machar. By Cde Dut Majokdit 14th May 2025, Juba The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) has become dysfunctional. It’s no longer operational for the last 50 days in spirit or substance while the First Vice President and Chairman of the SPLM in Opposition remains under so-called house arrest in Hai Amarat. In fact, to expect the transitional government to function effectively without one of its principals and signatories is unconstitutional and illogical to comprehend. A fish cannot live without water. Similarly, The Peace Agreement will not survive. At the same time, its key signatory and main opposition leader has been silenced and sidelined due to the false accusations by the SPLM in government to return the country back to war and maintain an unbearable status quo that failed miserably. President Salva Kiir Must release the charismatic Leader and father of self-determination, H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny, unconditionally to complete the transitional period and lead this country into democratic elections. This should be the best thing for President Kiir to do and cease to listen from his tribal circle that hates Dr. Riek Machar to death and their dissatisfaction about Peace in the country to continue to eat with their kids and others are struggling to get chapati in a day. Hence, detaining Dr. Riek Machar and refusing to listen from the chairman of the African Union and IGAD undermines the very Foundation of the Peace Agreement and renders the current R-TGONU illegitimate in the eyes of both Junubeen and the international community. The succession Politics being played in the palace, aimed at sidelining Dr. Riek Machar and retiring him by force from politics to pave the way for an anointed crown prince in the Presidential palace, as alleged, is not only shortsighted but is a political suicide and dangerous for the Progress of the nation. Perhaps, Dr. Riek Machar's detractors and enemies of Peace in South Sudan must understand that true leadership is not inherited before you celebrate the arrival of the unknown. It is earned through democratic competition. If you want to retire Dr Riek from the politics of South Sudan, let it be done through democratic elections, not by manipulation, detention, or coercion. The ethnic lobbyists and the tribal elites have miscalculated the whole thing in disguise. No threats and intimidation of opposition leaders, civil society leaders, or unconstitutional maneuvers will guarantee the peaceful handover of power in the palace, to say the least. The only viable path forward is through the full implementation of the (R-ARCSS) and Free, Fair, and credible elections in which Dr. Riek Machar and others can compete openly instead of the premature tribal politics. The suffering of the people in the Upper Nile region, where state-sponsored aerial bombardments target innocent civilians to be killed and displaced to the Ethiopian border, is condemnable. The very government meant to protect its citizens has turned its weapons against them, something even the brutal Islamic regime in Khartoum rarely did with such scale and impunity. This is not just a political crisis, in the country. It is a national tragedy. I am indeed shocked and dismayed to see the elders, Children, and mothers with young kids hiding in the riverside from being bombarded by the SPLM-IG/SSPDF with their foreign-hired mercenaries. The use of cluster and chemical bombs against civilian Populations for the last two months is a crime that must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. Any government that turns on its people forfeits its moral and legal legitimacy. I, therefore, call on all the Patriotic leaders, within and beyond South Sudan, to rise up and speak out. The silence of those who know the truth is complicity. The people of South Sudan deserve Peace, justice, and accountable leadership. I urge President Kiir to unconditionally release Dr Riek Machar for peace and unity of the country. It is a time to cease to listen from foreign allies and tribal circles and do the right thing for South Sudan and conduct elections to beat Dr. Riek and form your government with your political party. The writer is a Member of the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council (NLC) and former chairperson for the Reliefs and Rehabilitation Commission, Northern Bhar El Ghazel state, Base in Juba.