Defense lawyers for South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused on Wednesday requested a delay in their high-profile treason trial, saying they needed more time to review prosecution evidence before cross-examining witnesses and the lead investigator.
The defense asked the special court sitting at Juba’s Freedom Hall to grant access to case files and copies of documents submitted by the prosecution.
The defense team, led by former Court of Appeal judge and University of Juba law professor Geri Raimondo Legge, told the panel it required adequate time to prepare for cross-examination.
“We request that the court allow us sufficient time to examine the case files one by one so that we can prepare our questions properly,” one of the defense lawyers said.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng granted the request and adjourned the case until Friday, Oct. 24, when cross-examinations are expected to begin. The prosecution said it was ready to proceed but did not object to the adjournment.
During Wednesday’s 13th session, prosecutors presented additional evidence on the death of Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak, a commander in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), who was killed during a March 2025 attack in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
An investigator testified that after government forces lost control of the Nasir garrison, Majur and his troops were surrounded and trapped inside an armored personnel carrier for three days. The investigator alleged that Machar phoned Majur during that period, urging him to surrender, but Majur refused.
On March 7, 2025, Majur and his soldiers attempted to reach a U.N. helicopter for evacuation after being promised safe passage by opposition SPLA-IO forces. They were ambushed and shot dead before reaching the aircraft, the court heard.
The investigator said a U.N. staff member was also killed and two crew members injured. Two helicopters sustained damage but returned to Malakal.
The court was told that photographs of Majur’s body later circulated on social media and that more than 250 SSPDF soldiers killed in the attack were left unburied until government troops recaptured the garrison in late April.
Prosecutors also outlined the alleged roles of three co-defendants — Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27 — accusing them of sharing classified military documents and communications, including lists of SPLA-IO officers promoted after the Nasir attack.
The defense reiterated that a fair trial required access to the full case files before questioning witnesses. Judge Alala noted that one of the accused, Brig. Camilo Gatmai Kel, was absent due to illness.
The charges stem from a March 2025 assault on an army base in Nasir that killed Majur and dozens of soldiers. The government alleges the attack was carried out by forces loyal to Machar’s SPLA-IO and a local militia known as the White Army.
Machar, 73, and his co-accused face charges including treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism and destruction of property.
The other 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.
The trial opened on Sept. 22.