JUBA — Former South Sudan First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has described the environment surrounding his ongoing trial as “toxic,” citing the alleged plot to assassinate him, his co-accused, and members of his defence team.
Machar said the alleged plot had raised serious concerns about the fairness and security of the proceedings, calling for a thorough investigation and a permanent resolution before the trial could continue in a conducive environment.
He made the remarks on Wednesday during the 120th session of the Special Court, where he presented his first defence statement in the trial over the Nasir incident.
“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. Thank God that this plot has been uncovered, and I hope justice will prevail,” Machar said.
Machar said the alleged assassination plan needed to be properly investigated and addressed, arguing that the trial could not proceed normally while the security concerns remained unresolved.
“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.
The security concerns were first raised by Machar’s defence team in September when lead defence lawyer Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge told the court that there were serious threats to the lives of Machar, the seven co-accused and members of the defence team.
The defence did not publicly identify those allegedly behind the threats.
However, after investigation, the court then ordered enhanced security measures, including barring police personnel whose names appeared in the investigation from attending court sessions.
Security forces were also directed to protect the accused and members of the defence team while travelling to and from court.
Machar further expressed appreciation to the court for upholding the rights of accused, including their right to appear in court in decent clothing and to use pens, papers and notebooks to follow proceedings and prepare their defence.
He also welcomed the court’s recognition of the accused persons’ 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 first vice president said he remained hopeful that the court would ultimately rule on the case based on the facts and evidence presented during the proceedings.
“I still have hope that this Honourable Court will listen to our case fairly, carefully and critically, and ultimately deliver a fair and just ruling based on the actual facts and evidence presented by my colleagues and which I will present,” he said.
He also alleges political interference in the trial, which he said of undermines the independence of the Judiciary and the administration of justice.
“This is despite what I consider to be clear political intrusion and interference by a system that uses coercion to undermine, infringe upon, compromise and disrespect the independence of the Judiciary and the administration of justice.”
The court adjourned the proceedings until October 14, 2026, when Machar is expected to continue presenting his defence statement.
Machar and seven co-accused are currently on trial over allegations that they supported and masterminded a March 2025 attack by the White Army on a government army garrison in Nasir, Upper Nile State. The attack reportedly killed more than 200 government soldiers, including the garrison commander, Major General Majur Dak.