A special court in South Sudan has asserted its jurisdiction to prosecute suspended Vice-President Riek Machar and seven co-accused on charges including murder, treason, and crimes against humanity. The court dismissed all objections from Machar’s legal team, ruling that the case will proceed.

• The court rejected claims of immunity for Machar and denied arguments for a hybrid court, stating it has authority to try national offenses under the Transitional Constitution 2011.
• The charges stem from a March attack by a militia allegedly linked to Machar, which resulted in the deaths of 250 soldiers and a general.
• Two of Machar’s lawyers were expelled from the proceedings for not possessing valid licenses, while Machar’s lead lawyer, Geri Raimondo Legge Lubati, claimed his client was subjected to a "politicised media campaign."