South Sudan’s Government has rejected allegations that suspended First Vice-President Riek Machar faces an assassination threat, describing the claims by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) as false and intended to undermine his ongoing trial.
Information Minister and Government spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny said over the weekend that Machar was receiving maximum security protection at his residence in Juba. Machar has been under house arrest in the capital since March 2025.
The denial came a day after Machar’s trial was adjourned until September 23, 2026, following security concerns raised by his defence lawyers.
During the 115th session of the Special Court on Friday, September 11, lead defence lawyer Geri Raimondo Legge submitted an application alleging serious threats against the defence team and the eight defendants, particularly Machar. The judge directed that details of the application should not be read publicly.
Sources cited by Radio Tamazuj alleged that the threats included a possible attempt to cause a road accident involving defence lawyers and claims that a poisonous substance could be placed on seats used by the defendants and their lawyers. The allegations have not been independently verified.
Machar and seven others are standing trial over violence in Nasir, Upper Nile State, in March 2025. They face charges including treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors allege that forces linked to Machar’s SPLA-IO and the White Army militia killed 257 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces soldiers, including General David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment valued at about $58 million. Machar and his co-defendants have denied the charges.