The Special Court trying suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused adjourned on Wednesday until Friday after technicians fell ill, halting the live broadcast of the session.
Technicians from the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), responsible for operating the court’s live stream, reportedly became unwell a day before the 44th session.
The session had been scheduled for the prosecution to present its final witness, a forensic expert from South Africa. The court was open to the media and the public following the conclusion of testimony from protected prosecution witnesses.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng said proceedings could not continue without the screen.
“We have resolved that if the screen is not ready, we have to adjourn the session because the testimony should not be distorted, so we are adjourning for Friday,” Deng told the court.
Six prosecution witnesses, all members of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), testified without protective measures, while 12 others gave evidence behind closed doors.
Machar, 72, and his co-accused face treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism, and destruction of property over a March 2025 assault on an army base in Nasir that killed Gen. David Majur Dak and dozens of government soldiers.
The court sits as a panel of three judges: James Alala (Presiding Judge), Stephen Simon Isaac, and Pur Majok.
The prosecution team includes 13 lawyers, among them Counsel General Deng Achuil Adija, Dr. Sabri Wani Lado, Serafino Simon Mizan, and Filberto Mayuot Mareng. Others on the team are Advocates Ajo Onyo Issa, Gabriel Mading Apach, Deng Mabior Deng, Philip Anyang Ngong, Ajak Mayol Bior, Martha Jobet Jeramiah, James Bone Michael, Peter Garang, and Counsel Butrouse Yai Adhiew.
The defence team for Machar and his co-accused comprises six lawyers: Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge, Kur Lual Kur, Anis Tombe Augustino, Deng John Deng, Warnyang Kiir Warnyang, and Regina Akeriaw Deng.
Investigators assisting the prosecution include Brigadier General John Dak and Major General Basilio Thomas Wani, the lead investigator. Captain Richard Gachi Apollo of the Internal Security Service is a complainant.
The eight defendants are: Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Dr. Riek Machar Teny, 73; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.