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Prosecutors seek witness protection ahead of testimonies in Machar trial

First accused and suspended Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang Chuol, engages Machar and other co-accused during a proceeding at Freedom Hall. [Photo: Courtesy]JUBA – Prosecutors on Monday asked the Special Court to provide protection for witnesses expected to testify against suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-defendants in the forthcoming 20th session of the hearing slated for Wednesday. The request was made during the 19th session of the re-cross examination of lead investigator Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani in Juba. Advocate Ajo Onyo Issa, a member of the prosecution team, submitted an application seeking both witness protection and the appointment of a court interpreter in line with Sections 181, 203, and 204 of the Court of Criminal Procedures Act, 2008. “The application concerns witness protection and the appointment of a court interpreter under the specified provisions of the law,” Ajo told the court. Responding to the submission, Machar’s defense lawyer, Dr. Geri Raimondu Lege, acknowledged receipt of the prosecution’s application and requested additional time to review the documents and prepare a written response. Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng subsequently adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, 12 November 2025, to allow both the defense and the court sufficient time to examine the lead investigator’s findings. The judge said the adjournment would also enable the bench to prepare its own set of questions for Maj. Gen. Wani before his re-cross examination. Machar, 72, and his co-accused face multiple charges, including treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism, and destruction of property. The charges stem from a March 2025 assault on an army base in Nasir, which reportedly resulted in the death of Majur and dozens of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) soldiers. According to the lead investigator, Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, officers affiliated with the SPLA-IO orchestrated the Nasir attacks. He testified that the first assault on March 3 was led by the late Col. Tor Gille Thon, while the second attack on March 4, commanded by Kang Makana, resulted in the garrison being overrun and the deaths of hundreds of government soldiers.

admin November 10, 2025 2 min read

First accused and suspended Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang Chuol, engages Machar and other co-accused during a proceeding at Freedom Hall. [Photo: Courtesy]

JUBA – Prosecutors on Monday asked the Special Court to provide protection for witnesses expected to testify against suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-defendants in the forthcoming 20^th session of the hearing slated for Wednesday.

The request was made during the 19th session of the re-cross examination of lead investigator Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani in Juba.

Advocate Ajo Onyo Issa, a member of the prosecution team, submitted an application seeking both witness protection and the appointment of a court interpreter in line with Sections 181, 203, and 204 of the Court of Criminal Procedures Act, 2008.

“The application concerns witness protection and the appointment of a court interpreter under the specified provisions of the law,” Ajo told the court.

Responding to the submission, Machar’s defense lawyer, Dr. Geri Raimondu Lege, acknowledged receipt of the prosecution’s application and requested additional time to review the documents and prepare a written response.

Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng subsequently adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, 12 November 2025, to allow both the defense and the court sufficient time to examine the lead investigator’s findings. The judge said the adjournment would also enable the bench to prepare its own set of questions for Maj. Gen. Wani before his re-cross examination.

Machar, 72, and his co-accused face multiple charges, including treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism, and destruction of property.

The charges stem from a March 2025 assault on an army base in Nasir, which reportedly resulted in the death of Majur and dozens of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) soldiers.

According to the lead investigator, Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, officers affiliated with the SPLA-IO orchestrated the Nasir attacks. He testified that the first assault on March 3 was led by the late Col. Tor Gille Thon, while the second attack on March 4, commanded by Kang Makana, resulted in the garrison being overrun and the deaths of hundreds of government soldiers.