South Sudan Government: Denies Machar Assassination Plot Amid Trial

• The South Sudanese government has refuted allegations by the SPLM-IO that Riek Machar faces an assassination threat, calling the claims false and an attempt to discredit his trial.
• Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services Ateny Wek Ateny stated Machar is under heavy security protection at his Juba residence, which is among the capital's most secure locations.
• Machar's trial was adjourned until September 23 after his defense team raised serious security concerns regarding the safety of the accused and their lawyers.
• Unverified reports from sources detailed alleged threats, including a plot for a road accident and the use of a poisonous substance in the courtroom.
• Machar and seven co-defendants face charges including treason and murder, stemming from a March 2025 incident in Nasir where government forces suffered heavy casualties.

The government's strong denial followed closely on the heels of a significant development in Machar's trial: its adjournment until September 23.

The South Sudanese government has vehemently dismissed allegations from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) concerning a purported plot to assassinate suspended First Vice-President Riek Machar. Official statements characterize these claims as unfounded and a deliberate attempt to undermine the ongoing legal proceedings against Machar. Ateny Wek Ateny, the nation's Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, asserted that Machar is afforded substantial security protection at his residence in the capital city of Juba.

Minister Ateny emphasized that any suggestion of an assassination attempt against Dr. Riek Machar lacks substance and is entirely false, designed to discredit the judicial process currently underway. He highlighted President Salva Kiir's consistent commitment to ensuring Machar's safety, despite their political differences. According to Ateny, Dr. Machar receives the highest level of protection from the President. Since March 2025, Machar has been under house arrest in Juba, and his residence is considered one of the most secure locations within the capital, reportedly receiving protection comparable to that of the President himself. Ateny also noted that similar allegations have surfaced since Machar's initial court appearance last year, urging the public to disregard the recent claims as baseless.

The government's strong denial followed closely on the heels of a significant development in Machar's trial: its adjournment until September 23. This postponement was a direct consequence of serious security concerns articulated by Machar's defense team. During the 115th session of the South Sudan Special Court in Juba, held on the preceding Friday, lead defense counsel Geri Raimondo Legge formally submitted a written application to the court.

This application specifically addressed grave threats to the safety of both the defense team and the eight individuals accused in the case, particularly highlighting the fifth accused, who is Machar himself. While the defense lawyer underscored the critical nature of these threats, Presiding Judge James Alala Deng directed that the application not be read aloud in open court, thereby keeping the specific details of the alleged dangers from public disclosure. The court subsequently adjourned the proceedings, acknowledging that the Riek Machar trial security concerns raised by the defense required further attention before the trial could continue.

Sources familiar with the matter, speaking to Radio Tamazuj, provided insight into the nature of the alleged threats that prompted the trial's adjournment. These included a reported scheme to orchestrate a road accident targeting members of the defense team. Additionally, there was an allegation suggesting a plan to spray a poisonous substance on the seats designated for the accused and their legal representatives within the courtroom. Radio Tamazuj, however, was unable to independently verify the veracity of these specific claims.

Further reports from senior sources indicated that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had provided security escorts for members of the defense team, accompanying them to and from court in a security convoy on Friday. The CID also reportedly met with the defense team and offered ongoing security protection. These sources confirmed that the allegations of threats were actively under investigation by authorities.

The legal proceedings against Riek Machar and seven co-defendants stem from an outbreak of violence in Nasir, Upper Nile State, during March 2025. This incident reportedly resulted in substantial casualties among government forces. The accused individuals face a range of serious charges, including treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity.

Prosecutors contend that forces aligned with Machar’s SPLA-IO, acting in concert with the White Army militia, were responsible for the deaths of 257 soldiers from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces. Among the fatalities was General David Majur Dak, a commander within the government forces, who was allegedly killed during an attack on a military installation.

This development highlights the significant security risks and political volatility surrounding high-profile legal proceedings in South Sudan, particularly for defense teams and accused individuals in politically sensitive cases. Lawyers should factor these heightened security concerns into their risk assessments and strategic planning when advising clients in similar contexts.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj