The trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar was abruptly adjourned Friday after a member of the judicial panel fell ill, forcing the court to suspend proceedings until next week.
The 69th session had been scheduled for prosecutors to continue re-cross-examining South African digital forensic expert Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi.
Judge Stephen Simon Binjigwa, one of three judges hearing the case, said the session could not proceed due to the illness of fellow panel member Isaac Pur Majok.
“This session was fixed for the court to continue cross-examination of the expert, but due to the illness of Judge Isaac Pur Majok, we are adjourning to Monday, April 20, 2026,” Binjigwa said.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng formally adjourned the hearing to the same date.
It is the second time proceedings have been postponed because of Majok’s illness.
Machar, 73, who is under house arrest, faces charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason and crimes against humanity. His co-accused remain in detention under the National Security Service.
Prosecutors allege that forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), allied with the White Army militia, killed 257 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces soldiers, including commander David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth about $58 million in an attack on a garrison in Nasir in March 2025.
The seven co-defendants are Puot Kang Chuol, 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.
and then