The trial of South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and seven co-accused is set to resume on Wednesday, following a two-week blackout during which journalists were barred from covering the proceedings.
The development comes as the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) confirmed that media coverage of the case has now been officially reopened, urging reporters to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards during their coverage.
“UJOSS strongly urges journalists covering the trial to adhere to journalistic ethics and maintain utmost respect for the discretional powers and authority of the court,” said UJOSS Chairperson Oyet Patrick Charles in a statement released Monday.
“We thank the Media Authority for its continuous efforts to ensure that journalists are given access to information, including coverage of the ongoing trial,” he added.
Monday’s court session was adjourned to Wednesday, October 15, after defense lawyer Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge challenged the legality of the Special Court for the Nasir Incident, arguing that its mandate had expired on October 8.
“The ministerial order that established this court granted it a one-month mandate, from September 8 to October 8. From October 9, the court has become jurisdictionally incompetent and unlawful,” Dr. Legge told the panel.
He also filed a motion seeking to dismiss all charges against Machar and his seven co-defendants, arguing that the proceedings violate Article 103 of South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution, which grants the First Vice President immunity from prosecution while in office.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng did not issue an immediate ruling on the objection but said the court would seek an extension of its mandate from the relevant authorities before continuing.
Before the adjournment, the prosecution requested additional time to compile evidence and coordinate witnesses.
The court case, which began on September 22, accuses Dr. Machar, 73, and seven other senior SPLM/A-IO figures of treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism, and destruction of property.
The charges stem from March 2025 attacks on a military base in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, in which Gen. David Majur Dak and dozens of SSPDF soldiers were killed.
The government alleges that the assaults were carried out by Machar’s SPLM/A-IO forces and an allied militia known as the White Army.
The defendants include: Puot Kang Chuol (40), Mam Pal Dhuor (37), Gatwech Lam Puoch (66), Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam (53), Kamilo Gatmai Kel (47), Mading Yak Riek (45), and Dominic Gatgok Riek (27).
Machar’s party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), has dismissed the trial as politically motivated, describing it as an attempt to weaken the peace agreement and sideline opposition leadership.
Political observers say the case could deepen mistrust between the SPLM-IO and the transitional government at a time when the country is already facing mounting tensions ahead of the planned elections.
With media access restored, UJOSS has urged journalists to maintain professionalism, accuracy, and respect for judicial independence while reporting on the politically charged case.
“UJOSS will continue to engage with all stakeholders in the country to ensure that journalists work in a free, safe, and enabling environment,” Oyet Patrick said.
As the nation’s eyes turn once again to the courtroom on Wednesday, the trial of Dr. Machar and his co-accused remains one of the most consequential legal battles in South Sudan’s post-independence history — testing not only the strength of the judiciary.
