High Court Adjourns Trial of Third Accused to Friday, 17 July
The South Sudan Special Court has adjourned proceedings in the trial involving First Vice President Dr Riek Machar and seven other accused persons until Friday, 17 July.
The adjournment came after the presiding judge heard a lengthy defence presentation from the third accused, Hon Gatwick Lam, who represents Nasir County in the Upper Nile region.
Lam, a member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly under the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity, told the court that he was arrested not because he had committed a crime, but because he had publicly condemned deadly airstrikes against civilians in Nasir County in March 2025.
The airstrikes reportedly occurred during military operations by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in areas controlled by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO).
Addressing the courtroom on Wednesday, Lam described the accusations against him as baseless and argued that prosecutors had failed to present legitimate evidence linking him to the alleged crimes. He maintained his innocence and rejected all allegations brought against him.
Lam began presenting his defence nearly three weeks after former Petroleum Minister Hon Puot Kang Chol appeared before the court. Puot previously denied allegations that he had facilitated logistical support to SPLM-IO forces and White Army youth during the fighting in Nasir.
He also rejected the charges filed against him by government prosecutors, maintaining that he had no involvement in supporting armed operations against government forces.
The Special Court was established in early March 2025 following the detention of Dr Machar and several of his allies over allegations that they were linked to fighting in Nasir County.
The clashes reportedly resulted in the death of a senior military general and more than 250 government soldiers in March 2025.
Machar has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that he did not order SPLM-IO forces to attack SSPDF troops in Nasir County.
The former rebel leader returned to Juba in 2020 to join President Salva Kiir in forming the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity following months of negotiations and the signing of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
Machar has yet to formally present his defence against the allegations before the court.
Meanwhile, the prosecution has reportedly asked the Chief Justice to end oral examinations and require the remaining accused persons, including Machar, to submit their defence statements in writing.
Machar’s defence lawyers rejected the request, arguing that it could undermine the rights of the accused. They maintained that the remaining defendants should be allowed to present their statements and arguments orally before the court.
Earlier this week, the United States warned that meaningful political dialogue could not take place without Machar’s involvement. Washington also called on South Sudan’s political leaders to return to negotiations and work towards rescuing the country’s fragile peace agreement.