![Dr. Riek Machar, First Vice President and the Chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition. [Photo: Courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/machar_0.webp?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
The request was made by Machar, the fifth accused, during the 105th session of the ongoing trial in Juba over the March 2025 Nasir incident, in which hundreds of government soldiers were killed.
Machar, a 74-year-old leader of the second-largest party, SPLM-IO, argued that recording testimonies would provide an independent reference point and protect the integrity of evidence presented before the court.
“For the sake of ensuring the chain of custody of our testimonies in this case is not broken. This is to avoid unauthorized interference and manipulation by cutting, editing, adding, deleting, and mixing as we have seen in some aspects in the case during the presentation of digital forensic expert Mr. Calvin Rafadai,” Machar said.
Machar said audio and video documentation would help avoid possible alterations, misinterpretation, or selective reporting of statements made by witnesses during the proceedings.
He also argued that the recordings would serve both legal and academic purposes, providing a reference for future court proceedings and serving as valuable material for research and study in academic institutions.
“For the sake of posterity, when the political and security climate is conducive for proceeding with this trial, it will be broadcast on TV, radio, and print for the people of South Sudan to know the truth about this case,” he said.
He also asked the special court trying him over the 2025 Nasir violence to admit his written statements, arguing that doing so would save the court’s time and expedite the proceedings.
“I am making this request for four reasons. For the sake of efficiency and gaining time since I started, my statement will be a bit longer,” he said.
Lead prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa objected to the request and argued that such an application cannot be made directly by the accused person and should instead be filed through his legal counsel.
“By surprise, the 5th accused has gone ahead to make the same application even when the court has allowed him to give a statement in defense,” Ohisa said.
“This looks like a vote of no confidence in his own advance for the future. This is procedurally incorrect for application to my made by the accused himself.”
The court adjourned the session to August 10, 2026, for Machar to continue his defense testimony.
The trial, which has drawn significant national attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused, is being presided over by Judge James Alala Deng, alongside Justices Stephen Simon and Isaac Pur Majok.
The prosecution team comprises 13 lawyers drawn from the Ministry of Justice and other legal institutions, including Counsel General Deng Achuil Adija, Dr Sabri Wani Lado, Serafino Simon Mizan, and Filberto Mayuot Mareng.
On the defense side, six lawyers are representing the accused, including Dr. Geri Raymond Legge, Kur Lual Kur, and Anis Tombe Augustino.
Investigations into the case are being led by Major General Basile Thomas Wani, assisted by Brigadier General John Dak, while Captain Richard Gachi Apollo of the Internal Security Service is listed as the complainant.
Those standing trial alongside Machar include Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt Gen Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
As proceedings continue, the court is expected to further examine the credibility and implications of digital forensic evidence in establishing alleged links between political figures and armed groups.
