The high-profile treason trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and his co-accused has been adjourned after the presiding judge fell ill.

The special court session scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026, could not proceed because Judge James Alala Deng reported sick and was unable to attend.

A court official confirmed that the case has been adjourned to Tuesday, March 31, 2026, to allow the judge time to recover.

Machar and eight co-accused face serious charges including treason, murder, terrorism, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity.

Prosecutors allege they masterminded the March 2025 attack on an SSPDF garrison in Nasir, Upper Nile State, which resulted in the deaths of 257 soldiers.

The trial, which has been ongoing since late 2025, has faced multiple delays due to procedural disputes, particularly over access to digital evidence from seized phones and laptops.

Machar has been under house arrest since March 2025, while most of the co-accused remain in detention at the National Security Service facility in Juba.

The adjournment adds to growing concerns among observers about the pace and fairness of the proceedings, which many view as politically sensitive and potentially damaging to the already fragile 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.

No further details were given about the judge’s condition or how long the trial might be delayed.