The trial of suspended South Sudanese Vice-President Riek Machar began this Monday, 22 September 2025, with the former rebel leader appearing in court for the first time since his house arrest in last March.
Machar, seen in a cage alongside seven co-defendants, faces charges of treason, crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, and destruction of public property. The proceedings, broadcast live on national television, come after President Salva Kiir suspended him earlier this month, accusing him of involvement in an attack on a government garrison. Defense lawyers challenged the court’s authority, arguing that prosecuting Machar undermines the 2018 peace deal which underpins South Sudan’s transitional government.
The trial was adjourned until Tuesday, with fears it could reignite tensions in a nation still recovering from a civil war that killed an estimated 400,000 people.
The case underscores the deep political rivalry between Kiir and Machar, whose decades-long feud has shaped the country’s fragile politics since independence in 2011. Analysts, including those from the International Crisis Group, suggest the trial may be more about consolidating political power than seeking justice, warning that it risks destabilizing the already fragile peace. Machar, long seen as Kiir’s chief rival, remains recognized by the peace agreement as the country’s first vice president, despite his suspension.