Former First Vice President Riek Machar on Wednesday asked the special court hearing his case to intervene over what he described as an urgent security matter affecting his defence team.
The complaint is the latest in a series of security concerns raised during the trial, including earlier allegations of threats against the accused and their lawyers that prompted a court investigation and additional protective measures.
Machar raised the matter during the 128th session of the trial at Freedom Hal in Juba, saying the defence had an urgent complaint it wanted to bring before the judges.
“We have a complaint that we want to bring to the court about the defence. Due to an urgent matter, we think this can be brought before you,” Machar told the court.
Judge Stephen Simon Binjigwa, a member of the three-judge panel, said the court can only consider the complaint if it is formally presented through the defence lawyers.
“We are a competent court. If you have something urgent, let your advocate bring it to us,” the judge said.
Machar subsequently clarified that the complaint concerns an urgent security matter. The judge advised that the defence team be allowed to formally present its concerns for consideration.
The latest complaint follows allegations raised in September by defence lawyer Geri Raimondo Legge of threats against the accused and their legal representatives. The court ordered an investigation and, on September 30, directed security personnel implicated in the allegations to stop attending court sessions. It also ordered protection for the accused and their lawyers during movements between detention facilities and the courthouse.
On October 23, presiding Judge James Alala Deng said the investigation had been completed and that individuals identified would be referred to the Attorney General and police for further action.
The court adjourned proceedings until Wednesday, November 18, 2026, to accommodate the state burial of veteran politician General Joseph Lagu Yanga, scheduled for Friday.
Charges and allegations
Machar and seven co-defendants face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors allege that forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), allied with the White Army, killed 257 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers, including their commander, General David Majur Dak, during an attack on the Nasir military garrison in March 2025. They also allege that military equipment worth about $58 million was destroyed or captured.
Machar is under house arrest, while the other defendants are being held at National Security Service detention facilities in Juba. All eight defendants have denied the charges.
The co-defendants are Puot Kang Chol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
and then