JUBA — The Special Court hearing the high-profile case of suspended South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has been postponed to next week to give judges the opportunity to review objections raised by both the defense and prosecution teams.
The adjournment is now scheduled for Monday, September 29, 2025, to allow the court to consider the objections presented by both parties.
James Alala Deng, the presiding judge, announced the decision on Wednesday, saying this will allow the court to review the written submissions.
“You see, it was the view of this court to conduct these trials on a daily basis. But we realize that this is not giving time or a chance for, one, the parties to prepare and properly prepare for the next session,” Deng said.
Deng stated that adjourning the session would allow the public, whose daily routines have been disrupted by this case, to return to their normal activities.
“Number two, the court also has time to easily look into long written readings by the parties. Number three, the government has the right to be given a chance to exercise its work normally,” he said.
Deng acknowledged the importance of the security forces in managing the situation but emphasized the necessity of allowing citizens to resume their regular activities.
“And that is beneficial. But also, there is a need to consider the needs of the citizens. Without being disturbed. For example, the institution, like the university and other nearby businesses.”
“It is this balance of interest. The court decided to defer this section to the coming Monday on the 29th of September, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.”
Machar, the leader of the main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, along with seven key members, is facing alleged charges including murder, treason, conspiracy, financing terrorist activities, actions against state authorities, and crimes against humanity.
The charges stem from a violent incident in March when a militia known as the White Army overran a garrison of government troops in Nasir County, Upper Nile, killing its commanding officer, Gen. Majur Dak, and several soldiers.
The justice ministry asserted that the attack in Nasir was influenced by Machar and others through “coordinated military and political structures.”
