JUBA: South Sudan’s detained former vice president Riek Machar is “ready” to face trial and will appear in court on Monday, his lawyer told AFP on Saturday, as fears grow of renewed insecurity in Africa’s youngest nation.
The government of President Salva Kiir this month charged Machar with murder, treason and crimes against humanity and stripped him of his position as first vice president in the unity government.
His position was part of a 2018 deal between the two men that ended a five-year civil war that killed some 400,000, but the fragile agreement has been unraveling for months.
“The accused is ready for the trial. He is ready and he is in good health,” his lawyer, Kur Lual Kur, told AFP.
He confirmed Machar would attend the “special court” for the first sitting on Monday following a summons, but said they were still waiting for details.
“We are ready for the trial, but up to now we didn’t receive the formation of the court,” he said.
“We will go according to that summons and then we will see what is going to happen on that day,” he added.
Machar’s faction has denied the charges — which also include an accusation he ordered an ethnic militia to attack a military base this year — and says they are part of Kiir’s efforts to sideline the opposition and consolidate power.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has remained mired in poverty and insecurity with repeated international attempts to ensure a democratic transition failing.
Elections due to have taken place in December 2024 were again postponed to 2026 and the two sides have not merged their armed forces.
Detained South Sudan ex-vice president ‘ready’ for trial
https://arab.news/4atmv
Detained South Sudan ex-vice president ‘ready’ for trial
- “The accused is ready for the trial. He is ready and he is in good health,” his lawyer, Kur Lual Kur, told AFP
- “We are ready for the trial, but up to now we didn’t receive the formation of the court“
US-Israeli attack violates international law: South Africa
- Ramaphosa “calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to act in a manner consistent with international law,” a statement said
- Ramaphosa “reiterates his call for intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions”
JOHANNESBURG: The US and Israeli strikes on Iran Saturday violated international law, South Africa’s president said, calling for restraint and dialogue.
The allies launched the attack citing “threats” from Iran, which retaliated with a barrage of missiles aimed at Gulf states that host US bases, and at Israel.
President Cyril Ramaphosa “calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to act in a manner consistent with international law, international humanitarian law and the principles of the United Nations Charter,” a statement said.
The UN Charter states that self-defense can only be invoked when a state has been subjected to an armed invasion, the statement from his office said.
It condemned “international law violations,” saying: “Anticipatory self-defense is not permitted under international law and self-defense cannot be based on assumption or anticipation.”
Ramaphosa “reiterates his call for intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and create space for continued meaningful negotiations,” the statement said.
US President Donald Trump said Washington’s goal was “eliminating imminent threats” from Iran, while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was to remove an “existential threat.”
