Riek Machar Trial: Court Addresses Defense Team Security Concerns

• Former First Vice President Riek Machar raised an urgent security concern regarding his defence team during his ongoing trial in Juba.
• Judge Stephen Simon Binjigwa instructed that the court would only consider the complaint if formally presented by Machar's defence lawyers.
• This is the latest in a series of security concerns, with previous allegations of threats leading to court-ordered investigations and protective measures.
• Machar and seven co-defendants face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, and crimes against humanity, all of which they deny.
• The trial has been adjourned until November 18, 2026, to allow for the state burial of General Joseph Lagu Yanga.

The court's handling of the Riek Machar trial security concerns, particularly its insistence on formal procedural requirements for raising such issues, highlights a critical aspect of judicial integrity in politically sensitive cases.

Former First Vice President Riek Machar recently brought an urgent security matter concerning his defence team before the special court presiding over his case. The issue was raised during the 128th session of the trial, held at Freedom Hall in Juba. Machar informed the court that his legal representatives had a pressing complaint they wished to present to the judges, specifically identifying it as an urgent security matter affecting his defence team.

In response, Judge Stephen Simon Binjigwa, one of the three judges overseeing the proceedings, emphasized the court's procedural requirements. He stated that for the court to formally consider any urgent complaint, it must be presented through the defence lawyers. The judge subsequently advised that the defence team be permitted to formally submit their concerns for judicial review, underscoring the court's adherence to established legal protocols for addressing such issues.

This recent complaint regarding Riek Machar trial security concerns is not an isolated incident but rather the latest in a series of security-related issues that have emerged throughout the trial. Earlier, in September, defence lawyer Geri Raimondo Legge had formally alleged that both the accused and their legal representatives were facing threats. These allegations prompted the court to initiate an investigation into the reported incidents.

Following its investigation, the court issued specific directives on September 30. It ordered security personnel implicated in the allegations to cease attending court sessions and mandated protective measures for the accused and their lawyers during their transit between detention facilities and the courthouse. On October 23, presiding Judge James Alala Deng announced that the investigation had concluded, and individuals identified in connection with the threats would be referred to the Attorney General and police for further action, demonstrating the court's commitment to addressing security breaches within the South Sudan Machar trial Juba context.

Riek Machar, along with seven co-defendants, faces a range of serious charges, including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege that forces belonging to the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), in alliance with the White Army, were responsible for the deaths of 257 South Sudan Peoples Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers. This alleged incident, which included the killing of their commander, General David Majur Dak, reportedly occurred during an attack on the Nasir military garrison in March 2025.

Furthermore, prosecutors contend that military equipment valued at approximately $58 million was either destroyed or captured during the same event. Machar is currently under house arrest, while his co-defendants are detained at National Security Service facilities in Juba. All eight defendants, including Puot Kang Chol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek, have entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.

The ongoing proceedings in the high-profile case have been adjourned until Wednesday, November 18, 2026. This extended recess was scheduled to accommodate the state burial of veteran politician General Joseph Lagu Yanga, which is set to take place on Friday. The court's handling of the Riek Machar trial security concerns, particularly its insistence on formal procedural requirements for raising such issues, highlights a critical aspect of judicial integrity in politically sensitive cases.

The requirement for the Machar defence team security complaint to be formally presented, as articulated by Judge Stephen Simon Binjigwa, underscores the judiciary's expectation for structured and documented submissions, even in urgent matters. This approach is vital for ensuring that all security-related incidents are properly recorded and addressed within the legal framework, thereby upholding the fairness and transparency of the judicial process at Freedom Hall court security.

Lawyers representing clients in high-profile or politically sensitive cases in South Sudan must understand the formal procedural requirements for raising urgent security concerns for their defence teams and clients, as the court expects formal presentation of such complaints. This case underscores the importance of documenting and formally submitting all security-related incidents to ensure they are properly addressed by the judiciary and to protect the integrity of the legal process.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj