Machar

Machar may refer to a surname and toponym with several uses in different regions. The most widely recognized association is with Riek Machar, a South Sudanese politician and military figure who has been a central actor in the country’s post-independence politics.

Riek Machar (born 1952) is a veteran politician who helped lead the opposition to the government after South Sudan’s independence in 2011. He served as Vice President of South Sudan from 2011 to 2013 before a political split led to armed conflict. As founder and leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), he has been a key participant in peace negotiations and power-sharing attempts aimed at ending the civil war that began in 2013.

Machar Colony refers to a large residential area in Karachi, Pakistan. It is a densely populated informal settlement known for its high population density and the urban challenges associated with informal housing. The area has been the subject of development and humanitarian discussions within the city’s broader planning context.

In other contexts, Machar can appear as a family name or place name in various regions. However, the name’s prominence in public discourse is most strongly linked to Riek Machar and to Machar Colony in Karachi.