Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bentiu took to the streets on Thursday, staging a massive protest against the ongoing trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and several of his political and military allies.
The demonstrators, many of whom have lived in displacement camps since the civil conflict erupted in 2013, say the proceedings threaten to derail hard-won peace and risk plunging the country back into instability.
Chanting slogans and waving placards, the protesters described the court process as “illegal” and a “violation” of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) signed in 2018.
They urged the government to reject what they view as politically motivated actions and instead focus on restoring peace, implementing the peace deal, and fostering national reconciliation.
We want peace, not political witch-hunts. This trial risks tearing the country apart and bringing more suffering to our people,” one protester said in a video seen by SZN.
The high-profile legal case stems from accusations that Dr. Machar and his co-accused were involved in orchestrating violent incidents in Nasir that allegedly violated the ceasefire and threatened national security.
Prosecutors argue that Machar, along with several senior officials and commanders, played a direct role in planning or authorizing attacks that undermined state authority and destabilized certain regions of the country.
Defense lawyers, however, dismiss the charges as unconstitutional, pointing out that the 2018 peace agreement outlines specific mechanisms — such as the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) — for addressing alleged ceasefire violations.
They argue that bypassing these mechanisms and prosecuting the case in a special court undermines both the letter and spirit of the peace accord.
The United Nations, regional bodies, and civil society organizations have all called for the trial to meet international legal standards and warned against actions that could jeopardize the fragile peace process.
Today’s demonstrations in Bentiu reflect rising public anxiety that the court case could reopen political wounds and reignite divisions in a country still recovering from years of conflict.
Protesters say they are determined to keep pressing for a peaceful resolution and a renewed commitment to reconciliation.
“South Sudan has suffered enough. The government must prioritize peace and stability over political score-settling,” another protester said.
The court is expected to resume hearings next week, even as pressure mounts from both domestic and international actors for a negotiated solution that aligns with the country’s peace framework.
