Public Hearing Set for 28 January 2026
The Special Court hearing the Nasir attack case says it will hold a public session on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, with access granted to the media and the general public.
The court says the move follows the completion of testimony from the last protected witnesses, clearing the way for proceedings to return to open court.
Nasir Attack Case: Defendants and Trial Phase
The case concerns the Nasir violence file in which Dr. Riek Machar and seven other defendants are on trial. The court’s next sitting is described as the forty-fourth session.
Court officials say this session will hear testimony from an electronic devices expert. They present the appearance as a marker that the protected-witness phase has reached its endpoint.
Witnesses Heard So Far, Including Closed Sessions
Prosecutors have so far called 16 witnesses, according to the court. Eight testified in open court, while eight gave evidence in closed sessions under protective measures.
The closed sessions took place without the media or public present, reflecting the court’s approach to witness protection in parts of the proceedings.
Prosecution Narrative on March 2025 Nasir Violence
In September 2025, prosecutors filed what they described as serious criminal charges against Dr. Machar and several senior military commanders linked to violence in Nasir in March 2025. The incident is described as among the most “devastating” attacks in South Sudan’s recent history.
At the trial’s opening, Chief Prosecutor Ajo Ohisa accused Dr. Machar and the other defendants of planning and funding an attack allegedly carried out by the “White Army” militia, according to the prosecution’s account.
Indictment Details and Alleged Chain of Command
The indictment alleges that dozens of government soldiers and civilians were killed, including people said to have been executed by close-range gunfire. It also alleges that some bodies were dumped into the Sobat River.
Prosecutors say the attack targeted a government military garrison in Nasir between 3 and 7 March 2025. They allege surrendered soldiers were executed and that bodies were either left to decompose or thrown into the river.
The prosecution further alleges the “White Army” acted on direct orders from officers of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO). They also allege Dr. Machar, as commander-in-chief, supervised and coordinated the operation, including claims of incitement, arming, organizing, and financing.
Prosecutors also allege that some opposition leaders coordinated operations from within Juba. The defendants’ positions on these allegations are not detailed in the court update.
Charges, Evidence Plan, and In Absentia Request
The prosecution says it intends to call more than 100 witnesses and present forensic and technical material. It is also seeking court permission to try some defendants in absentia.
The stated charges include alleged breaches of more than 20 provisions of South Sudan’s Penal Code of 2008, including murder, terrorism, treason, war crimes, and abuse of office. Prosecutors also cite terrorism financing under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act of 2012.
Media Access Confirmed by Journalists’ Union
In a related development, the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) announced on its social media platforms that trial sessions will be open to the media starting Wednesday, 28 January 2026 (UJOSS statement).
“The Union of Journalists of South Sudan wishes to inform all media institutions and journalists that the special court sessions concerning the detained Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, and the accompanying co-accused will be open to the press starting Wednesday, 28 January 2026,” the statement said (UJOSS statement).
UJOSS urged journalists to cover the hearings while stressing strict compliance with court rules and regulations during reporting, according to the same statement (UJOSS statement).