The highly anticipated treason trial of South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President, Riek Machar, commenced on Monday in Juba under strict security measures, drawing widespread attention both within the country and internationally. The opening of the proceedings has intensified political tensions, as Machar’s defense team immediately challenged the court’s authority to hear the case, describing it as a violation of constitutional provisions.
Machar, who has been under house arrest since March, faces charges that many fear could reignite the brutal 2013–2018 civil war, a conflict that claimed nearly 400,000 lives and displaced millions. His long-running rivalry with President Salva Kiir, marked by years of mistrust and political fragmentation, looms heavily over the trial. Many analysts view the case as a critical moment for South Sudan’s fragile peace and unity government.
The charges leveled against Machar and 20 co-accused include treason, murder, and crimes against humanity. Authorities allege that Machar provided support to the White Army, a militia largely composed of Nuer youths, during violent clashes in the northeastern town of Nasir earlier this year. Those clashes reportedly resulted in dozens of civilian deaths and forced over 80,000 people to flee their homes, compounding South Sudan’s already dire humanitarian crisis.
On Monday, Machar appeared publicly for the first time since his detention, dressed in a dark suit and cobalt blue tie, seated behind a row of black bars. The hearing was held in a converted event hall—normally used for weddings and concerts—that was transformed into a special courtroom. Media access was heavily restricted, with coverage limited to the state broadcaster, further fueling concerns about transparency.
Earlier this month, President Kiir suspended Machar by decree shortly after the charges were unveiled. The move deepened divisions within the unity government and raised questions about whether political motives were driving the legal process. Seven of Machar’s close allies, including the petroleum minister, were also charged, further escalating political uncertainty.
Machar’s lawyer, Geri Raimondo Legge, mounted a forceful defense, calling the proceedings “unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal and void.” He argued that as a sitting vice president, Machar was entitled to immunity and should not have been detained or prosecuted. “(We pray the court) order the immediate discharge of His Excellency Dr Riek Machar Teny, the first vice president of the republic of South Sudan, and the seven accused persons for being arrested and detained unconstitutionally,” Legge declared.
Prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa Igele rejected these claims, labeling the defense’s arguments as “unfounded and weak.” The government has stood firm in its position, insisting that Machar must face justice for his alleged involvement in fueling unrest and backing militia activity.
Observers note that the trial marks a new chapter in the troubled relationship between Kiir and Machar, who have spent more than three decades in a cycle of alliance, rivalry, and uneasy reconciliation. Both men, now in their 70s, were former comrades in the liberation struggle before their political partnership unraveled into conflict. Though they eventually signed a peace deal in 2018 and formed a unity government, trust between them has remained fragile.
Regional and international actors are closely monitoring the proceedings, aware that the outcome could determine whether South Sudan remains on its difficult path toward peace or slides back into widespread conflict. The stakes are high, not only for Machar and his allies but for the stability of the entire nation.
