JUBA — The Special Court trying eight senior officials of the SPLM/A-IO, including suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, on Thursday adjourned its proceedings after a technical failure disrupted the session.
The 44th sitting of the court was scheduled to hear testimony from a foreign forensic expert who examined electronic devices belonging to the accused. However, the screen used to broadcast the proceedings reportedly malfunctioned, prompting Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng to suspend the hearing.
Judge Deng adjourned the session to Friday, 30 January, citing the need to resolve the technical issue before continuing with the expert testimony.
Thursday’s hearing marked the first time the Special Court opened its proceedings to the public and the media. Until now, the court had been sitting in camera to hear testimony from six witnesses who requested that their identities be concealed for security reasons.
Dr. Machar and his seven co-accused have been in custody since their arrest in March 2025 in connection with violence at the Nasir garrison in Upper Nile State.
Prosecutors have charged them with treason, murder, and crimes against humanity, accusations the defendants have consistently denied.
The high-profile trial comes at a time of growing political and security uncertainty in South Sudan. Renewed fighting has been reported in several parts of the country, heightening tensions and raising fears of a wider escalation.
International observers and diplomatic missions have warned that South Sudan is once again on the brink of conflict, urging restraint by political leaders and the protection of civilians.
The adjourned proceedings are expected to resume on Friday, with the court anticipated to hear the long-awaited forensic evidence that prosecutors say is central to their case.