The Special Court on Monday ordered suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to remove his necktie before proceedings could continue, ruling that all accused persons appearing before the court are prohibited from wearing neckties.
The directive was issued during the court’s 101st session after Prosecutor Advocate Ajo objected to Dr. Machar’s appearance in a purple necktie, arguing that it violated an earlier court order issued on Friday, 24 July 2026, barring accused persons from wearing neckties during proceedings.
Defense lawyer Deng John challenged the objection, arguing that the previous ruling did not automatically apply to the fifth accused, Dr. Machar, and that the prosecution should have filed a separate application if it intended the order to cover him.
However, the panel of judges dismissed the defense’s argument, stating that all accused persons are equal before the law and that the earlier directive applies equally to every accused person appearing before the Special Court.
Following the ruling, Dr. Machar removed his necktie in open court before the presiding judges.
The hearing then resumed with the statement of the fourth accused, Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam
