(JUBA) – South Sudan’s suspended First Vice-President, Dr Riek Machar, has raised concerns over alleged unilateral amendments to the country’s 2018 revitalised peace agreement.
He accused President Salva Kiir’s government of making significant political decisions without consulting other signatories.
Speaking before a special court in Juba on Wednesday, Machar said several political developments had taken place during his detention.
These included changes to key provisions of the peace agreement that he claimed were made without following the required procedures.
Machar accused the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Government, led by President Kiir, of removing provisions from the agreement without consulting other parties.
He maintained that such unilateral actions violated the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
The agreement was signed in 2018 to end years of civil conflict and establish a transitional power-sharing government.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Machar requested permission from the court to have government prosecutors play recordings of speeches delivered by senior officials.
The speeches were delivered during the funeral of the late General David Majur Dak, who was reportedly killed in connection with the Nasir incident in March 2025.
The prosecution opposed the request.
It argued that the proceedings should remain focused on the legal charges rather than broader political disputes.
The lead government prosecutor maintained that the courtroom was not a platform for political rallies.
He urged the court to adhere strictly to established legal procedures.
Machar’s defence lawyers challenged the prosecution’s objections.
They alleged that the lead prosecutor had political affiliations with the ruling SPLM-IG.
They also said he was among those seeking a governorship position ahead of the anticipated December elections.
The allegations raised by the defence were not independently substantiated during the reported proceedings.
Following the exchanges, presiding judge Dr James Alala adjourned the hearing until 19th October 2026.
Machar is expected to continue presenting his defence on that date.
The court proceedings come amid a deepening political crisis in South Sudan.
Relations between President Kiir and Machar have deteriorated significantly, raising renewed concerns about the future of the country’s peace process.
The two leaders have repeatedly clashed over power-sharing arrangements, security reforms and the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
Tensions escalated following violent clashes in Nasir in March 2025.
The government placed Machar under house arrest in Juba after the clashes.
Authorities subsequently established a special court to hear charges against Machar and several other officials linked to the opposition movement.
The proceedings have attracted criticism from some political activists and opposition figures.
They allege that the prosecution is politically motivated and intended to exclude Machar from the country’s leadership.
The government’s position and the evidence presented in court remain central to determining the legal merits of the case.
The political situation reportedly deteriorated further on 22nd September 2026.
President Kiir issued a decree dissolving the transitional government established under the 2018 peace agreement.
According to the reported decree, all five vice-presidential positions, including Machar’s, were terminated.
The national parliament was also dissolved.
These developments have intensified concerns about the stability of South Sudan’s political institutions.
They have also raised questions about the prospects for implementing the remaining provisions of the peace agreement.
