The high-profile trial of South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, has been adjourned until Wednesday, 10 December after a member of the three-judge panel fell ill.
The Special Court in Juba halted proceedings at Freedom Hall on Friday after Judge Stephen Simon became unwell, rendering the panel incomplete.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng announced the adjournment, stating: “One of the members of the panel is sick. He is receiving treatment; therefore, we are going to adjourn the session to Wednesday, 10 December.”
The court had been scheduled to continue the cross-examination of Major Peter Malual Deng, the prosecution’s first witness and a military investigator. This was to be the 28th session of the trial.
Dr Machar, 72, along with seven co-accused, faces serious charges including murder, treason, and crimes against humanity. The charges relate to a deadly attack on a military base in Nasir County in March 2025.
Prosecutors allege a militia linked to Dr Machar was responsible for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of Maj Gen David Majur Dak, approximately 250 soldiers, and a member of a United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) helicopter crew.
The other individuals facing allegations of treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism, and destruction of property are Puot Kang Chol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.
All defendants have previously denied the allegations.
The trial is being closely watched domestically and internationally, given Dr Machar’s central role in South Sudan’s politics and the fragile 2018 peace agreement.