The special court trying South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused ordered on Wednesday that the detainees be allowed to receive additional food from their families and spend one-hour outdoors daily under strict supervision by the National Security Service (NSS).
During the 18th session, the special court also directed that each accused be granted individual access to medical doctors.
The ruling followed a defense motion filed on Oct. 22, which raised concerns over the defendants’ treatment and health conditions in detention. Prosecutors opposed the application, arguing that the defense had failed to specify which detainees required medical care or extra food.
Judge Stephen Simon, a member of the special court panel, read the decision.
Machar, a signatory to the 2018 peace agreement, was placed under house arrest on March 26, while his associates were detained by security forces on various dates during the same month.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the defense concluded its cross-examination of the lead investigator, Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, in the high-profile treason and security-related case.
Defense counsel Kur Lual Kur questioned Wani about Machar’s role in facilitating the evacuation of 198 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers from Nasir following the violent clashes with the White Army, a Nuer youth militia, in March 2025.
According to court testimony, the clashes erupted on March 3, 2025, when the White Army overran an SSPDF garrison and seized control of Nasir town.
“Do you agree with me that the fifth accused, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, facilitated the evacuation of 198 SSPDF soldiers who survived the Nasir garrison attack from Nasir and Ulang to Juba using U.N. helicopters?” Kur asked the investigator.
Wani replied: “Yes, I do agree, because some soldiers paid ransom to be evacuated from Nasir to Juba.”
The investigator confirmed that Machar had stated in his written testimony that he instructed youth in Nasir, through former County Commissioner James Gatluak Lew, to cease hostilities and return to their villages — though only some complied.
Wani also acknowledged that Machar made efforts to assist trapped SSPDF soldiers and had communicated with local chiefs to help end the fighting.
The investigator added that on March 2, a day before the attack, armed youth had mobilized, lowered the national and police flags, and burned them before launching the assault on the army garrison.
The defense noted that the fourth and sixth accused were absent from the hearing due to illness.
Presiding Judge Justice James Alala adjourned the trial to Nov. 10, 2025, when the prosecution is expected to begin its re-cross-examination of Maj. Gen. Wani.
Machar and seven others – Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Dr. Riek Machar Teny, 75; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27 – are charged with treason, crimes against humanity, murder, terrorism, and destruction of property.
Prosecutors allege that forces loyal to Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), alongside the White Army, attacked the army garrison in Nasir, resulting in the deaths of Majur and more than 200 government soldiers.