JUBA — The Special Court in South Sudan has requested that security agencies permit independent media and the public to attend and report on the court hearing of suspended Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven other individuals.
On Monday, private media outlets and the victim’s family were blocked from accessing the courtroom.
Journalists are still being barred from covering the trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven of his co-accused, despite earlier assurances that the proceedings would be open to the media.
James Alala Deng, the presiding judge, insisted that the court should be open to both citizens and media.
“We would like to inform the audience that the court is open to the public. I mentioned this yesterday [Monday]: now the public hearing means citizens are allowed to access the court,” Deng said during the second day of Dr. Machar’s trial.
He requested access for the public, stating that security should permit anyone to attend court sessions without causing disruptions.
“Media, all media houses are allowed to access the court and report. They know how to report and what they are reporting. There is no way to close or to block any media house that is coming or any other interested citizen. So, this must be clear.”
This principle highlights the importance of transparency and accountability within the legal system, allowing the public to observe trials and obtain court records.
The daughter of the late Gen. David Majur Dak expressed discontent regarding the exclusion of victims’ families from the ongoing trial of Dr. Riek Machar, stating that excluding those most impacted compromises the fundamental principle of justice.
Gen. Majur, a senior commander in the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF), was killed along with 27 of his bodyguards on March 7, 2025, during a White Army attack in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
