Puok Both Baluang, the Acting Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President, said on Thursday that the adjournment of the trial from Monday, April 20, to Friday, April 24, was not justified by the reasons provided by the court.
“Apparently, the recent postponement of the sham trial of H.E. Dr Riek Machar and seven other SPLM/A (IO) leaders… was not for the reasons stated by the court,” Both said.
The Special Court panel—comprising Judges James Alala Deng, Stephen Simon Binjigwa, and Isaac Pur Majok—had earlier indicated that the suspension of the Wednesday, April 22 session was necessary to allow preparation for the cross-examination of a digital forensic expert, Peter Rafadi Calvin.
However, Both disputed this explanation, arguing that the judges instead shifted focus to another matter involving a former official in President Kiir’s office.
“It is now clear that the judges were actually prioritising a separate case that took place today involving a former official in President Kiir’s office,” he said.
The Special Court is handling the case against Machar and seven co-accused SPLM/A-IO leaders in proceedings that have drawn close political attention, given the sensitivity of the case.
He added that the development raises serious concerns about the neutrality of the proceedings.
“This shift in focus exposes the questionable and political nature of these proceedings,” Both stated, describing the trial as a “sham court.”
The controversy stems from a parallel case at the Supreme Court of South Sudan involving Ajing Deng Ajing, the former Executive Director in the Office of the President. Ajing was arrested in November 2025 following his removal from office.
His legal team, led by advocates Kiir Chol and George Angier Ring, filed a constitutional petition challenging his arrest and detention, arguing that he was unlawfully apprehended at his residence on November 26, 2025, and held incommunicado for about 90 days at a National Security detention facility commonly referred to as the Blue House.
The petition alleges violations of constitutional rights, including the right to personal liberty, freedom from torture, and the right to a fair trial under South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution. It also claims Ajing, a serving diplomat under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was arrested without the lifting of diplomatic immunity.
The lawyers further argue that their client was denied access to legal counsel, family members, and medical care during detention, and suffered both physical and psychological harm.
On April 23, 2026, the Supreme Court adjourned Ajing’s case after his lawyers requested five days to review the government’s response. The court granted the request and scheduled the next hearing for April 30, 2026.
The same panel of judges—James Alala Deng, Stephen Simon Binjigwa, and Isaac Pur Majok—presiding over Ajing’s petition is also handling the Special Court trial against Machar and his co-accused, a detail highlighted by Machar’s camp in its criticism.
Both argued that the overlap raises questions about judicial priorities and fairness, particularly given the timing of the adjournment of Machar’s trial sessions. He maintained that the court’s stated reasons for postponement were inconsistent with its actions.
The Special Court is expected to resume proceedings on April 24, when it is scheduled to continue with the cross-examination of the digital forensic expert.
