Juba Special Court: Riek Machar Family Visit Restrictions Raised

• Riek Machar's defence team raised concerns in the Juba Special Court about family visit restrictions and an unusual nighttime search at the detention facility.
• Family visits were reportedly suspended in early October after the accused voiced concerns about alleged poisoning.
• A nighttime search on November 1, 2026, was conducted by armed personnel without the facility's director-general present, which the defence deemed unusual.
• Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng directed the defence to submit their concerns in writing for a formal response before a ruling.
• Machar and seven co-accused face charges including murder, treason, and crimes against humanity, stemming from a March 2025 attack on the Nasir military garrison.

The alleged suspension of visits following poisoning concerns, alongside an unannounced nighttime search by external armed personnel, brings into sharp focus the need for transparent and consistent adherence to established legal protocols.

The defence team representing former First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused recently brought forward significant procedural concerns before the Special Court in Juba. During its 126th session on a Monday, lead defence lawyer Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge informed the court that the accused had reported a suspension of family visits, which began in the first week of October. This restriction, according to the accused, followed previous concerns they had voiced in court regarding alleged poisoning, suggesting a potential link between their complaints and the new visitation policy.

Dr. Legge also detailed an unusual nighttime search conducted at the detention facility on November 1, 2026. He highlighted the irregularity of this incident, noting that no similar search had occurred for nearly a year. The search was reportedly carried out by armed personnel from outside the facility and allegedly took place without the presence of the facility’s director-general, raising questions about its legitimacy and protocol. These incidents collectively underscore ongoing scrutiny of South Sudan detention conditions.

In response to these submissions, presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng instructed the defence to formalize their concerns by submitting them in writing. This directive ensures that the opposing party will have an opportunity to respond before the court issues a ruling on these matters. The proceedings were subsequently adjourned until Friday, November 6, 2026, at which point Machar is slated to continue presenting his defence statement.

Riek Machar and his seven co-defendants face a range of grave charges, including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity. While Machar himself remains under house arrest, his co-accused are being held in National Security Service detention facilities located in Juba. The co-defendants named in the case are Puot Kang Chol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.

Prosecutors have presented allegations that forces affiliated with the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), in collaboration with the White Army, were responsible for a deadly assault on the Nasir military garrison in March 2025. This attack purportedly resulted in the deaths of 257 soldiers from the South Sudan Peoples Defence Forces (SSPDF), including commander Gen. David Majur Dak. Furthermore, the prosecution claims that military equipment valued at approximately $58 million was either destroyed or captured during the same incident.

The concerns raised by the Machar defence regarding Riek Machar family visit restrictions and the Machar defence nighttime search are critical to the ongoing Juba Special Court proceedings. These challenges highlight fundamental questions about due process and the treatment of high-profile detainees within South Sudan’s legal framework. The court’s eventual ruling on these procedural issues could establish important precedents concerning detainee rights and the standards for investigations and searches in detention facilities.

The alleged suspension of visits following poisoning concerns, alongside an unannounced nighttime search by external armed personnel, brings into sharp focus the need for transparent and consistent adherence to established legal protocols. Ensuring that all accused individuals, including Riek Machar co-accused, are afforded their rights, even while detained, is paramount for the integrity of the judicial process. The court's handling of these complaints will be closely watched for its impact on future cases involving South Sudan detention conditions.

This case demonstrates the ongoing scrutiny of due process and detainee rights within South Sudan's Special Court. Lawyers involved in criminal defence in SS should monitor the court's ruling on these procedural challenges, as it could establish important precedents regarding the treatment of high-profile detainees and the admissibility of evidence obtained under questionable circumstances.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj