Special Court adjourns Machar trial over General Lagu’s state burial

The Special Court trying former First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused has adjourned proceedings until 18 November 2026 to allow for the state burial of the late General Joseph Lagu Yanga.

The 128th session, held this morning, was scheduled for Machar, the fifth accused, to continue presenting his defence statement.

However, Judge Stephen Simon announced the adjournment, citing the three-day state burial of General Lagu, a former Second Vice President of Sudan and President of the High Executive Council.

The presiding judge, Dr. James Alala, was absent from the judicial panel during the session. The defence lawyers were also not present when the adjournment was announced.

The defence team later arrived in the courtroom after the two judges had left.

Machar then said he wanted to make an urgent verbal application concerning security issues, claiming that the defence team had been denied access to their lawyers.

In response, Judge Simon said the application would be considered during the next court session.