The special court on Monday adjourned the trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-defendants until Friday, giving prosecutors more time to compile and submit a list of witnesses.
Machar and the others face charges including treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism and destruction of property. The charges stem from a March 2025 attack on an army base in Nasir that left Maj. Gen. Majur and dozens of soldiers dead.
During Monday’s 22nd session at Freedom Hall, Judge Stephen Simon, one of three judges on the special panel, told prosecutors to present a full list of witnesses, including those able to testify without interpreters.
“It has become apparent that many of the prosecution’s witnesses cannot speak Arabic or English,” Simon said, urging the prosecution to categorize witnesses by language ability.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng also directed prosecutors to indicate which witnesses require protection measures and which can testify without them. He noted the court lacks an interpreter fluent in English, Arabic and Nuer, placing the burden on both sides to agree on an interpreter.
Prosecutor Sabri Wani Lado said the team plans to call 16 witnesses, adding that one requires language assistance. Sabri further said eight witnesses need protection while the remaining eight are able to testify openly.
Prosecutor Ajo Onyo Issa asked the court for more time to prepare a detailed list outlining which witnesses can testify with or without protection or interpretation. He said the prosecution would provide an interpreter for the proceedings.
Defense lawyer Geri Raimondu Legge said Machar’s legal team had no objection to the prosecution arranging an interpreter, noting that the defendants speak Nuer.
At a previous hearing, prosecutors asked the court to protect the identities of several witnesses. The court has not yet ruled on that request.
The defendants are Dr. Riek Machar, Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
The court adjourned the proceedings until Friday, Nov. 21.