Dr. Riek Machar Teny’s legal team has formally challenged the handling of the Nasir case, describing it as a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the government and the SPLM-IO.
Dr. Geri Raimondu, head of Machar’s defense team, insisted that the matter should fall under the mandate of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM), rather than the Special Court currently overseeing the case.
“The Nasir incident is a case of a ceasefire violation, involving clashes between two forces. The Revitalized Agreement provides for a mechanism to resolve such violations through CTSAMM, which investigates and reports to R-JMEC and the IGAD Council of Ministers,” Dr. Raimondu said.
He added “R-JMEC will report to IGAD, which will then recommend the appropriate way forward.”
The defense team has also questioned both the competency and jurisdiction of the Special Court, prompting the presiding judge to adjourn proceedings until Wednesday.
During the adjournment, the judge will review documents submitted by the defense challenging the court’s authority, as well as written responses from the complainant team.
No formal hearings on the charges against Dr. Machar and seven other accused individuals have begun.
The trial will only move forward if the defense acknowledges the Special Court’s authority, creating a legal standoff that could have ripple effects on future cases involving high-profile figures.
Observers say the standoff highlights the delicate balance between peace agreements and judicial processes, with CTSAMM’s role in monitoring ceasefire compliance coming into sharp focus.
