Riek Machar Special Court trial

The trial of suspended South Sudanese First Vice-President Riek Machar and seven co-accused in a Special Court has faced procedural delays and allegations of political interference.

In September 2026, the trial was adjourned to allow for investigations into security threats reported by the defense. While the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) alleged assassination plots, the South Sudanese government dismissed these claims as “totally baseless and false,” maintaining that Machar remains under heavy security at his residence in Juba.

By October 2026, Machar testified that the proceedings were “politically motivated” and intended to settle political differences. He criticized the court for restricting media coverage and communication with his legal team, and questioned why private lawyers appeared to be taking a leading role over government prosecutors.

The defendants face charges including treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, and crimes against humanity. These charges relate to 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 257 soldier deaths and significant military equipment losses. Machar and the other defendants deny all charges.