South Sudan court ready to try Ex-VP, seven others for murder, treason

A special court in South Sudan has ruled that it has the jurisdiction to prosecute suspended Vice-President Riek Machar and seven co-accused on charges of murder, treason, and crimes against humanity — dismissing all objections by his defence team.

Presiding Judge James Alala declared on Monday that the special court is empowered under the Transitional Constitution 2011 (as amended) to try national offences, noting that a promised hybrid African Union court has not yet been established.

Machar, who has been under house arrest since March, dismissed the charges as a political “witch-hunt”. His legal team argued that only a hybrid court — provided for under the 2018 Peace Agreement that ended South Sudan’s civil war — could handle the case.

The charges stem from a March attack by a militia allegedly linked to Machar, which left 250 soldiers and a general dead.

Tensions flared in court as two of Machar’s lawyers were expelled after prosecutors challenged their licences. They can only return once renewed.

Outside the courtroom, Machar’s SPLM-IO party condemned the trial as a “kangaroo court”, describing it as unconstitutional, tribal, and politically motivated.

Human rights observers warn the case could inflame divisions and destabilise the fragile peace. The UN, African Union, and neighbouring states have all called for calm in the oil-rich nation, which has grappled with cycles of war since gaining independence in 2011.

The trial resumes Wednesday.