SOUTH SUDAN · COURT
Key Facts
- —What is happening South Sudan’s Special Court said on Friday, 23 October 2026 that its investigation into alleged threats against Riek Machar, his defence team and seven fellow defendants is complete, with the matter referred onward.
- —Why it matters The trial of the opposition leader is politically charged, and the threats allegation shows how tense the courtroom has become before national elections on Tuesday, 22 December 2026.
- —The numbers Eight accused face a trial that began on 22 September 2025, Friday’s hearing was its 123rd session, and prosecutors allege 257 soldiers died at Nasir and about US$58 million of equipment was lost.
- —Who is who Riek Machar leads the SPLM-IO opposition party, and local outlets now call him the former first vice president; Judge James Alala Deng presides; Geri Legge is Machar’s lead defence lawyer.
- —What to watch The court resumes on Monday, 26 October 2026 with Machar’s testimony, while the names of those referred and any action by the attorney general or police are still unannounced.
- —What it means for you The State Department rates South Sudan Level 4, Do Not Travel, with limited consular help for Americans, and political tension around the trial adds to the risk before the December vote.
South Sudan’s Special Court says its Machar threats probe is complete. The findings go to the attorney general and the police, and the trial resumes on Monday.
The Machar threats probe is complete, South Sudan’s Special Court said in Juba on Friday, 23 October 2026. Judge James Alala Deng said it goes to the relevant authorities, including the attorney general and police, Radio Tamazuj reports.
Riek Machar, leader of the opposition SPLM-IO party, is on trial with seven others over a deadly attack in March 2025. The trial runs alongside preparations for national elections set for Tuesday, 22 December 2026.
What the Special Court Said on 23 October
Judge Deng told the 123rd session that the investigation into threats against Machar, his defence team and his fellow defendants had finished. Radio Tamazuj and Sudans Post, two South Sudanese news outlets, both carried that statement.
Eye Radio, a Juba broadcaster, adds that the people identified in the investigation were referred to the attorney general and the police. The judge did not name them, and the court has not described the threats or the action it expects.
The same session rejected a separate request from Machar to play video footage of senior officials. Judge Deng called it premature, saying the court had not yet reached the stage for that evidence, Radio Tamazuj reports.
How the Machar Threats Probe Began
Lead defence lawyer Geri Legge told the court on Monday, 7 September 2026 that the accused faced life-threatening threats. He asked for protective measures and an independent investigation, and the court adjourned to Friday, 11 September.
On 11 September the defence filed a written security application, and the judge accepted it without having it read aloud. Radio Tamazuj, citing unnamed sources, described two alleged plots, a road accident and a poisonous substance, but could not verify either.
On Wednesday, 30 September, the 118th session ordered court police named in the investigation barred from sittings with immediate effect. The court also ordered security forces to protect the accused and their lawyers on the way to court, Eye Radio reports.
Machar later described the trial environment as toxic because of the alleged plot, Sudans Post reported on 12 October. He also alleged political interference in the courts without giving specifics, and the reports reviewed show no court response.
Who Is on Trial and Why
Machar was suspended as first vice president shortly before the trial opened in Juba on 22 September 2025, Eye Radio reported then. Outlets now call him the former first vice president, and Radio Tamazuj said in April that he was under house arrest.
He and seven others face charges that include treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism and crimes against humanity. All eight deny the charges; the seven include Puot Kang Chuol, called petroleum minister in April, and Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam.
Prosecutors allege that forces aligned with the SPLM-IO and the White Army, an armed youth group, killed 257 soldiers at Nasir. They also allege equipment worth about US$58 million was destroyed or seized, which the accused deny.
What It Means for US Readers
The State Department rates South Sudan Level 4, Do Not Travel, citing violent crime, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines. It says the US government has limited ability to provide emergency consular services to US citizens there.
No US official is quoted on the court’s announcement in the reports reviewed. For US readers the trial is a gauge of political risk before the first national election since independence in 2011.
A South Sudan election guide sets out entry rules and the 22 December polling date. It notes that candidate lists are unpublished, so it is unclear whether Machar could stand while on trial.
What Is Not Known
The court has not named the people identified in the investigation or said how many court police were involved. It has also not described the threats, and the 2026 allegations of plots rest on unnamed sources.
It is unclear what the attorney general or the police will do, or when. The court has not said whether it will publish the investigation’s findings.
Machar’s title is also unsettled, because recent reports say former first vice president while earlier ones say suspended. No verdict date has been given for the trial, which was in its 123rd session.
What Comes Next
The court adjourned to Monday, 26 October 2026, when Machar’s testimony as the fifth accused is expected to continue. Watch for any statement from the attorney general or the police on the referral.
Nothing in the reports shows charges against anyone over the threats. The referral is a step to other authorities, not a finding of guilt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the South Sudan court announce on 23 October?
The Special Court said its investigation into alleged threats against Riek Machar, his lawyers and his fellow defendants is complete. It said the matter would be referred to authorities including the attorney general and the police.
Who is Riek Machar?
Machar leads the SPLM-IO, an opposition party, and local outlets now call him the former first vice president. He and seven others deny charges that include treason, murder and crimes against humanity.
What threats were alleged?
Defence lawyers said in September that the accused and their team faced life-threatening threats. Unnamed sources told Radio Tamazuj of a road accident plot and a poisonous substance plot, which it could not verify.
Were any officials removed?
On 30 September the court ordered court police named in the investigation barred from sittings. It has not said who they are or how many there were.
Is it safe for Americans to travel to South Sudan?
The State Department rates South Sudan Level 4, Do Not Travel. It cites violent crime, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines, and says consular help is limited.
Sources: Radio Tamazuj, 23 October; Sudans Post, 23 October; Eye Radio, 23 October; Eye Radio, 30 September; Radio Tamazuj, 30 September; Radio Tamazuj, 11 September; Sudans Post, 7 September; Sudans Post, 12 October; Radio Tamazuj, 15 April; Eye Radio, 22 September 2025; US State Department travel advisory (all accessed 23 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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