South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has asked the special court trying him to allow his testimony to be recorded in audio and video, arguing that preserving the proceedings in digital form is important because of the country’s uncertain political and security environment.
Machar, the fifth defendant in the case, made the request on Friday as he continued giving evidence before the three-judge panel sitting at Freedom Hall in Juba.
He said a digital record of his testimony would preserve what he described as the truth of the case for the South Sudanese public, provide material for future courts and academic institutions, and safeguard the proceedings against possible political or security developments that could affect access to the court record.
Machar also urged the court to make greater use of technology, noting that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) had donated computers to the judiciary to support the digitisation of the justice system.
He said the case, involving a sitting first vice president, could have historical significance and serve as a reference for future legal and academic research.
The 74-year-old also referred to the practical difficulties of producing lengthy handwritten statements, saying he had previously complained in court that writing for extended periods had become physically exhausting.
In a separate application, Machar asked the court to admit his written statements into evidence, arguing that doing so would reduce the need for judges to write down lengthy testimony and expedite the proceedings.
He also recalled an earlier hearing in June during which Presiding Judge James Alala Deng remarked that his hand had become tired from writing extensive notes.
Lead prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa initially objected to Machar making the request personally, arguing that an accused represented by counsel should submit such applications through the defence team.
The defence later filed a formal written application seeking permission to audio and video record Machar’s testimony.
“Our application seeks leave to record the testimony of the fifth accused by audio and video,” lead defence lawyer Geri Raimondo Legge told the court.
The defence argued that access to the recordings would enable lawyers to verify the accuracy of the official transcript, identify any discrepancies between the oral testimony and the written record, and better prepare legal submissions.
The prosecution acknowledged receiving the application and requested time to submit a written response.
“We have received the defence application for leave to record the remaining testimony by video and audio. We seek the court’s permission to file our written response at the next session,” Ony’Ohisa said.
The defence said it had no objection to the prosecution filing its response in writing.
Judge Stephen Simon Binjigwa ruled that the court would continue hearing Machar’s testimony while awaiting the prosecution’s response, which is expected at the next hearing.
The trial was adjourned until Monday, Aug. 10, when Machar is expected to continue his testimony.
Machar and seven co-defendants — Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek and Dominic Gatgok Riek — face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces allied with the White Army killed 257 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers, including commander Gen. David Majur Dak, during an attack on the military garrison in Nasir in March 2025. They also allege that military equipment worth about $58 million was destroyed or seized.
The defendants have denied all the charges.
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