Riek Machar accuses Special Court of political bias in trial

Former South Sudan First Vice President Riek Machar has accused the Special Court of conducting a “politically motivated” trial intended to settle political differences. During his defense testimony in Juba, Machar expressed dismay over recent court rulings and criticized restrictions placed on his defense team, including limitations on media coverage and communication with lawyers.

Machar specifically questioned the role of private lawyers in the prosecution, noting that they appeared to have taken a leading role over government prosecutors from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. He raised concerns regarding the political affiliations of these private advocates, suggesting the proceedings might be transitioning from a state prosecution into a politically driven one.

The trial involves Machar and seven co-accused facing charges such as treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, and crimes against humanity. These charges stem from violence in Nasir, Upper Nile State, in March 2025, where prosecutors allege that forces aligned with the SPLM/A-IO and the White Army militia attacked a military garrison, resulting in the deaths of 257 soldiers and the destruction or seizure of $58 million in military equipment. Machar and the other defendants deny all charges.