The trial of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and his seven co-accused has been adjourned to Monday, 30 March 2026, after a member of the panel of judges fell sick.
During the 62nd session at the Freedom Hall in Juba on Wednesday, Judge Stephen Simon Binjigwa announced that the adjournment was due to the illness of Justice Isaac Pur Majok, one of the three judges presiding over the case.
“This session was fixed for the court to continue cross-examination of the digital forensic expert, but due to the sickness of Issac Pur Majok, we are going to adjourn this session to next week, 30 March 2026. We wish him a quick recovery,” said Simon.
The hearing is now expected to resume next Monday with the defense team continuing its cross-examination of the digital forensic expert.
Machar, 73, and his co-defendants face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity. Machar is under house arrest, while the others are detained at National Security Service facilities in Juba.
The co-defendants are Puot Kang Chol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.
Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces allied with the White Army killed 257 South Sudan People’s Defense Forces soldiers, including commander Gen. David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth about $58 million during an attack on the Nasir garrison in March 2025.