South Sudan Court Rejects ex-VP’s Bid to Halt Treason and Murder Trial

Special Court Rules It Has Jurisdiction, Raising Fears of Renewed Civil War

A special court in South Sudan has rejected an application by suspended Vice-President Riek Machar to stop his prosecution on charges of murder, treason, and crimes against humanity. The ruling confirmed the court’s jurisdiction over the case despite strong objections from Machar’s defense team. Presiding Judge James Alala stated that the trial would continue on Wednesday.

Dismissed Objections
Machar’s lawyers had argued that the proceedings were unconstitutional, that their client was immune from prosecution, and that the case should be handled by a hybrid African Union-backed court, as outlined in the 2018 Peace Agreement. However, the court dismissed these claims, ruling that the hybrid court had not yet been established, and therefore the national special court retained authority to proceed.

No Immunity for Vice-President
Judge Alala also clarified that constitutional immunity only applies to the president. “The First Vice-President does not have constitutional immunity, according to the transitional constitution,” he said, dismissing Machar’s claim to immunity from prosecution.

Charges Against Machar
The charges stem from a violent attack in March by a militia allegedly linked to Machar, which resulted in the deaths of 250 soldiers and a general. Machar, who has been under house arrest since the attack, dismissed the charges as a political “witch-hunt.” He insists that the case is designed to discredit him and eliminate his political influence.

Lawyers Expelled from Proceedings
In a dramatic twist, the court expelled two of Machar’s lawyers after the prosecution argued that they lacked valid licenses to practice. Judge Alala ruled that the two could only return to the case once they had renewed their credentials, weakening Machar’s defense team at a critical stage of the trial.

SPLM-IO Condemns the Trial
Machar’s SPLM-IO party denounced the proceedings as unconstitutional and described them as a “sham trial” led by a “kangaroo court.” In a statement, the party alleged that the case was driven by tribal motives and accused the judiciary of lacking both legality and competence.

Defense Alleges Political Bias
Machar’s lead lawyer, Geri Raimondo Legge Lubati, told the court that his client and the other defendants had been subjected to a politicized media campaign led by senior government officials. “This conduct amounts to unlawful and prior conviction of our accused and a blatant violation of the constitutional guarantee of presumption of innocence,” he argued.

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Fears of Renewed Civil War

The trial has reignited fears of renewed conflict in South Sudan, a country that has already endured years of instability since gaining independence in 2011. The five-year civil war, which ended with the 2018 Peace Agreement, pitted Machar’s forces against those loyal to President Salva Kiir. The current trial risks reopening deep divisions and fueling tensions.

International Calls for Calm
The charges and the court’s ruling have attracted international attention. The United Nations, the African Union, and neighboring countries have all called for restraint, urging South Sudanese leaders to avoid actions that could plunge the nation back into widespread conflict. Observers warn that the trial’s outcome could have far-reaching consequences for peace and stability in the region.

A Nation at a Crossroads
As the trial proceeds, South Sudan faces a critical moment in its history. For many citizens, the proceedings are not just about Machar’s guilt or innocence but about the future of justice, reconciliation, and national unity. The ruling by the special court underscores the fragility of South Sudan’s institutions and the challenges of balancing justice with the urgent need for peace.

Tags: south sudan politics, riek machar trial, african conflicts
A deepening political and legal crisis in South Sudan as the court proceeds with Riek Machar’s treason trial.

Keywords for Unsplash: south sudan court, african politics, conflict resolution

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Category: Politics / Africa News

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