South Sudan’s justice minister said on Wednesday that the trial of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused has taken longer than expected but is moving toward completion.
Michael Makuei Lueth, who was appointed to the justice ministry in November 2025, briefed President Salva Kiir on the proceedings during a meeting at State House.
“I briefed him on developments in the case of Puot Kang and others, whereby the case has taken long, but we are progressing very well,” Makuei told state media. “We will be in a position to complete the trial soon; and we are moving very well.”
Makuei also said he updated Kiir on reforms at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and preparations for the country’s upcoming elections.
The trial of the 73-year-old Machar began on Sept. 22, 2025, before a special court in Juba. The opposition leader has been under house arrest since March 2025 and faces charges including treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, and crimes against humanity.
Machar is being tried alongside seven members of his SPLM-IO opposition party, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chuol and Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam. The co-accused remain in custody of the National Security Service.
Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces and allied White Army militia killed 257 government soldiers, including their commander, and seized or destroyed about $58 million in military equipment during an attack on the Nasir garrison in March 2025.
The court held its 68th session on Wednesday, when the defence concluded cross-examination of a South African digital forensic expert hired by the prosecution to analyse data extracted from phones and laptops belonging to the accused.
The proceedings have continued despite pressure from the international community. In February, an African Union ad hoc committee, also known as C5, called for Machar’s release to facilitate inclusive dialogue and a ceasefire ahead of elections currently scheduled for December 2026.
Machar is a key signatory to the 2018 peace deal with Kiir that ended a five-year civil war. However, the security situation in the world’s youngest nation remains volatile, with the agreement frequently tested by violence and political tensions between the two rivals.
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