South Sudan Court Upholds Prosecution of Ex-Vice President Riek Machar

Sat Oct 11 2025 08:16:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A special court in South Sudan has ruled to continue the prosecution of suspended Vice-President Riek Machar and seven others on serious charges, despite claims of political bias and calls for a different legal framework.

In a significant ruling, a South Sudanese court has dismissed arguments regarding its jurisdiction to prosecute former Vice-President Riek Machar, who faces charges of murder, treason, and crimes against humanity. The court's decision comes amidst fears of renewed civil conflict in the country following violent incidents linked to Machar's supporters. As the trial proceeds, international observers urge calm in South Sudan's tense political landscape.

A special court in South Sudan has ruled that it does have jurisdiction to prosecute suspended Vice-President Riek Machar and seven co-accused, who are charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity.

The court dismissed all objections by Machar's legal team regarding its authority, the constitutionality of the proceedings, and the claim that he was immune from prosecution. The case will continue on Wednesday.

Machar has dismissed the charges brought against him two weeks ago as a political witch-hunt. They have raised fears of return to civil war.

The charges stem from an attack in March by a militia allegedly linked to Machar, resulting in the deaths of 250 soldiers and a general. Since then, he has been under house arrest.

Machar's defence team argued that the alleged crimes should be tried by a hybrid court under the African Union, as per the 2018 Peace Agreement that concluded the five-year civil war. However, the court maintained its authority, stating that it could try national offences in the absence of an established hybrid court.

Presiding Judge James Alala affirmed, The special court enjoys jurisdiction to try this case according to the Transitional Constitution 2011 as amended. Additionally, the court rejected the notion of Machar's immunity, reiterating that it applies only to the president.

Machar's lead lawyer, Geri Raimondo Legge Lubati, criticized a political media campaign against the accused, asserting that it undermines their presumption of innocence.

The charges have sparked concerns about a renewed conflict in South Sudan, prompting calls for stability from the UN, African Union, and neighboring countries. This is critical for a nation still in recovery since its independence from Sudan in 2011.