Dut Majokdit
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The special court trial of First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar has been adjourned to Friday. The adjournment allows the defense team, led by Molana Kur Lual Kur, to continue its cross-examination of Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, the lead investigator and Police Commissioner for Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State.
However, it is important to note that the so-called Nasir incident case against Dr. Machar and other SPLM-IO leaders has seemed politically motivated and devoid of any legal basis from the start. During the proceedings, Kur questioned the investigator about senior SPLM government officials who publicly condemned the SPLM/SPLA-IO leadership for allegedly instigating violence in Nasir County, Upper Nile State—even before an investigation had taken place.
When the presiding judge, James Alala, asked Kur to name those who made the accusations, his list included Gen. Taban Deng Gai, the Vice-President for Infrastructure Cluster; Michael Makuei, the Minister of Information; Gen. James Koang; Gen. Johnson Olony; and Vice-President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, who is also the First Deputy Chairman of SPLM-IG.
The ongoing trial at the Freedom Hall appears deeply flawed and is a waste of time. The government has practically ceased to function since Dr. Machar was placed under what has been called house arrest in Juba. To date, no formal charges have been filed against him.
The case has degenerated into a political blame game, questioning why Dr. Machar did not stop the crisis in Nasir, despite the fact that the clashes were between the White Army and the SSPDF. In reality, Dr. Machar wrote a letter forming a committee in Nasir and Ulang counties and calling for a refrain from conflict.
This letter, shared by Brig. Gen. Camilo Gatmai, later became the basis for his case. The same document was published by Eye Radio and other social media platforms without any consequences. Sharing an official document on social media cannot reasonably be considered a crime.
For President Salva Kiir to move the country forward, he must terminate the trial of the First Vice President and the others. He should order an immediate ceasefire and the release of all those accused of connection with the Nasir incident, including Dr. Isaiah Akol Mathiang, the Deputy Governor of Lakes State.
The government cannot function effectively without the First Vice President, who chairs the Governance Cluster. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is already on its deathbed. The best way forward is to engage in a political dialogue with the SPLM-IO to return to the implementation of the agreement and to resume the Tumaini Initiative with the UPA and other holdout groups. This is essential for an inclusive peace process and stability.
Having attended the special court sessions from the start, it is clear that there was no official letter from President Kiir authorizing the prosecution of the accused, including Dr. Machar, as is required for cases against the state. This makes the court sessions at Freedom Hall a complete waste of time and resources.
The people of South Sudan are not ready for another disintegration of the state under this political crisis. The current government has lost the trust of both regional and international partners due to systematic violations of the agreement and its unwillingness to heed calls for dialogue. South Sudan stands at a crossroads.
The trial at the Freedom Hall will determine whether South Sudan collapses into chaos and disintegrates, or thrives in peace and unity. It is time for President Kiir to take bold action to rescue the country from this crisis. The people of South Sudan do not deserve another war.
This situation can only be resolved peacefully if President Kiir issues a decree upon his return from the United Arab Emirates.
Source: Radio Tamazuj
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