The trial of Riek Machar, South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President, was adjourned today after his defense team raised fundamental objections questioning the legality and jurisdiction of the special court.
Machar, making his first public appearance since being placed under house arrest in March, stood in the defendants’ dock in Juba alongside seven co-accused. Proceedings were halted after his lawyers argued that the court lacked competence to try him and challenged the legitimacy of the prosecution team.
The defense, led by Dr. Geri Raimondo, a former Court of Appeal Justice and law professor at the University of Juba, filed four preliminary objections. These included:
- The court’s alleged lack of jurisdiction given Machar’s standing under the 2018 peace agreement,
- The presence of private lawyers on the prosecution team,
- Machar’s claim to legal immunity as Vice President, and
- Concerns about the court’s overall competence.
The presiding panel — Justices James Alala Deng (who ordered prosecutors to respond in writing), Stephen Simon, and Isaac Pur Majak — granted a postponement until tomorrow for the prosecution to file written replies.
On the government’s side, the prosecution is being led by Deng Achuil Adija, Counsel General of the Ministry of Justice, supported by an extensive team of attorneys and investigators.
Machar and the co-accused face grave charges, including treason, conspiracy, crimes against humanity, murder, terrorism, and destruction of public property following an alleged attack on a government garrison earlier this year.
The court’s ruling on the defense’s objections will be pivotal in determining whether the trial proceeds.
