South Sudan: Machar Lawyer Denies Missing Juba, Cites Threats

• A lawyer for Riek Machar, Kur Lual Kur, denied social media reports that he and lead counsel Geri Raimondo Legge went missing in Juba.
• Kur Lual Kur confirmed that the defense team has received threats and plans to present details to the special court on Friday.
• Lead lawyer Geri Raimondo Legge previously informed the court of a "serious threat" to the defense team and the eight accused, including Machar.
• Riek Machar and seven co-defendants face charges including treason and murder related to March 2025 violence in Nasir, Upper Nile state.
• The trial was adjourned on Monday due to a judge's illness and is set to resume on Friday.

The ability of defense counsel to operate without fear of intimidation or reprisal is fundamental to a fair trial, especially in politically charged cases involving high-ranking officials like the suspended First Vice President.

A prominent member of the defense team for suspended South Sudanese First Vice President Riek Machar publicly refuted social media claims this week that he and the lead counsel had gone missing in Juba. Kur Lual Kur, part of the Riek Machar defense team, explicitly stated on Tuesday that reports circulating about his and lead defense lawyer Geri Raimondo Legge's disappearance, allegedly following an arrest by the South Sudan National Security Service, were entirely false. "What is being circulated on social media that we are missing is not true, so we would like to refute that," Kur affirmed, emphasizing that both lawyers were safe and accounted for.

Despite denying their disappearance, Kur Lual Kur confirmed that the defense team has indeed received threats. He indicated that comprehensive details regarding these threats would be formally presented to the special court when the Machar trial Juba proceedings resume. The legal team plans to use the upcoming session to clarify and explain the various challenges and risks they are currently facing. This acknowledgment of threats underscores a significant concern for the security of legal professionals involved in high-profile cases.

The concerns over Geri Raimondo Legge security and that of his colleagues were first raised during Monday's court session. Legge informed the court of a "serious threat" directed not only at the defense team but also at all eight accused individuals, particularly Riek Machar himself. He urged the court to address this critical matter with urgency, though he did not specify the identity of those allegedly responsible for the threats. The trial, which sees Machar and seven co-defendants facing a litany of serious charges, had been adjourned on Monday due to the ill health of one of the three presiding judges, Stephen Simon.

The charges against Machar and his co-defendants stem from an incident of violence in Nasir, Upper Nile state, in March 2025. They are accused of treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege that forces loyal to Machar, acting in conjunction with the White Army militia, were responsible for the deaths of 257 government soldiers during an assault on a military garrison located in Nasir. The trial is scheduled to recommence on Friday, at which point the defense team is expected to formally present its evidence regarding the threats.

The reported threats against the Riek Machar defense team, even as they deny going missing, highlight profound challenges to due process and the integrity of the judicial system in South Sudan. The ability of defense counsel to operate without fear of intimidation or reprisal is fundamental to a fair trial, especially in politically charged cases involving high-ranking officials like the suspended First Vice President. The explicit statement by Kur Lual Kur about the threats, coupled with Legge's earlier plea to the court for intervention, signals a precarious environment for legal professionals.

This situation raises serious questions about the protection afforded to lawyers and defendants in South Sudan, particularly when facing powerful state entities or politically motivated accusations. The court's response to the defense team's presentation of threats on Friday will be a crucial indicator of its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring a just legal process for all parties involved. The ongoing security concerns for the defense counsel could significantly impact their ability to effectively represent their clients, potentially undermining the fairness of the entire Machar trial Juba proceedings.

This development highlights the severe security risks and potential for intimidation faced by defense counsel in politically sensitive trials in South Sudan, which could impact due process and the integrity of the judicial system. Lawyers involved in similar cases or advising clients in the region should be acutely aware of these challenges.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj