JUBA – A South Sudanese court on Wednesday adjourned the high-profile treason trial of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar after his defense team requested more time to review prosecution evidence and case files.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng granted the request and adjourned the special court, sitting at Juba’s Freedom Hall, until Friday, Oct. 24, when cross-examinations are expected to begin.
Machar, 73, and seven co-accused face charges including treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, and terrorism. The charges stem from a deadly assault in March 2025 on an army garrison in Nasir, Upper Nile State, which the government alleges was carried out by forces loyal to Machar.
The defense team, led by former judge Geri Raimondo Legge, told the panel it needed “sufficient time to examine the case files one by one” before questioning witnesses and a lead investigator.
“We request that the court allow us… so that we can prepare our questions properly,” one of the defense lawyers said.
The prosecution said it was ready to proceed but did not object to the adjournment.
During Wednesday’s 13th session, prosecutors presented additional evidence detailing the killing of Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak, a government commander who died in the Nasir attack.
An investigator testified that after government forces lost control of the garrison, Majur and his troops were surrounded and trapped inside an armored personnel carrier for three days.
The investigator alleged that Machar personally phoned Majur during that period, urging him to surrender, but Majur refused.
The court heard that on March 7, 2025, opposition SPLA-IO forces promised Majur and his soldiers safe passage to a U.N. helicopter for evacuation. They were ambushed and shot dead before reaching the aircraft.
A U.N. staff member was also killed and two crew members were injured in the incident, the investigator said.
Prosecutors also outlined the alleged roles of three co-defendants—Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek—accusing them of sharing classified military documents, including lists of SPLA-IO officers promoted after the Nasir attack.
Judge Alala noted that one of the accused, Brig. Camilo Gatmai Kel, was absent from the session due to illness.
The trial, which opened on Sept. 22, also includes other former senior officials such as Puot Kang Chuol and Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam.
