27/07/2026
🔔BREAKING
Special Court orders Riek Machar to remove necktie after appearing at 101st session wearing one
The Special Court on Monday ordered suspended First Vice President Riek Machar to remove his necktie during proceedings after ruling that all accused persons appearing before the court are prohibited from wearing neckties.
The issue arose during the Court’s 101st session when Prosecutor Advocate Ajo objected to Riek Machar’s appearance in a purple necktie, arguing that it violated the court’s earlier ruling issued on Friday, 24 July 2026, which barred accused persons from wearing neckties in court.
Defense lawyer Deng John opposed the objection, arguing that the previous order did not automatically apply to the fifth accused, Riek Machar, and that the prosecution should have filed a separate application if it intended the order to apply to him.
However, the panel of judges rejected the defense’s argument, stating that all accused persons are equal before the law and that the order applied equally to every accused person appearing before the Special Court.
Following the ruling, Riek Machar removed his necktie in open court before the presiding judges, after which the proceedings continued with the hearing of the statement of the fourth accused, Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam.
