Machar Calls for Fair, Just Verdict Despite Political Interference

By Awan Achiek

Former First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny on Wednesday called on the Special Court to deliver a fair and just verdict, despite what he described as political interference in his ongoing trial.

In his defense statement during 120th session in Juba on Wednesday, Machar said several court rulings had raised serious concerns about the accused persons’ right to a fair trial as guaranteed under Article 19 of South Sudan’s 2011 Transitional Constitution.

“I still maintain hope that this honourable special court will listen to our case carefully and critically, and pass a fair and just ruling at the conclusion based on the actual facts and evidence provided,” Machar said.

A 74-year-old veteran politician said he remained hopeful that the Special Court would consider the case carefully and critically before reaching its final decision.

“Despite clear political intrusion and interference by a system that uses coercion to undermine, compromise, and disrespect the independence of the judiciary and the administration of justice.”

He urged the judges to base their eventual ruling on the facts and evidence presented during the proceedings rather than on political considerations.

Machar described the environment surrounding his ongoing trial as “toxic,” citing an alleged plot to assassinate him and his co-accused accused persons and members of the defense team.

“The environment of this trial has become toxic following a plot to unlawfully eliminate and assassinate the accused persons and members of the defence team,” he said.

Machar further said the trial could not proceed in a conducive environment unless the alleged assassination plan was properly investigated and addressed.

“The environment of this trial is no longer conducive unless the alleged plot to assassinate the accused persons and members of the defence team is properly investigated and permanently resolved,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to the court for respecting several of the accused persons’ rights, including their ability to appear in court in decent clothing and to use pens, papers and notebooks to follow proceedings and prepare their defence.

“We thank the court for respecting our rights to be decently dressed and presentable before this Honourable Court. We are further grateful to the court for upholding our right to have pens, papers and notebooks so that we can follow the proceedings and prepare our defence documents.”

He further welcomed the court’s recognition of the accused persons’ constitutional right to defend themselves and to be represented by an independent defence team rather than being assigned legal aid.

“We also appreciate the court for upholding our constitutional right to defend ourselves and to be represented by an independent defence team rather than being assigned legal aid.”

The former VP also challenged several previous court decisions, including rulings concerning audio-visual recording of proceedings, defense access to accused persons, media coverage, the court and jurisdiction, presidential immunity and his designation as the fifth accused.

The court also set October 14, 2026, for Machar to continue his defense statement.

Machar and several co-accused face allegations related to the March 2025 violence in Nasir, Upper Nile State. Machar and his co-accused have denied the allegations against them.

The trial, which has drawn significant national attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused, is being presided over by Judge James Alala Deng, alongside Justices Stephen Simon and Isaac Pur Majok.

The prosecution team comprises 13 lawyers drawn from the Ministry of Justice and other legal institutions, including Counsel General Deng Achuil Adija, Dr. Sabri Wani Lado, Serafino Simon Mizan, and Filberto Mayuot Mareng.

On the defense side, six lawyers are representing the accused, including Dr. Geri Raymond Legge, Kur Lual Kur, and Anis Tombe Augustino.

Investigations into the case are being led by Major General Basile Thomas Wani, assisted by Brigadier General John Dak, while Captain Richard Gachi Apollo of the Internal Security Service is listed as the complainant.

Those standing trial alongside Machar include Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt Gen Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.