Dr. Riek Machar, SPLM-IO leader, at the Special Court session in Juba's Freedom Hall. (Courtesy photo)

The 20th session of the Special Court trying suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused was abruptly adjourned shortly after it began at Freedom Hall in Juba this morning due to a power outage.

The court had started as scheduled, with all parties present except the 4th and 6th accused, who were reported absent for health reasons. But the courtroom remained in darkness when the electricity went out.

Justice Stephen Simon, one of the presiding judges, announced the adjournment, saying: “I think because of the lack of electricity, we are going to adjourn the session to the next day after tomorrow, (Friday).”

Today’s hearing was expected to allow the judges to examine the Chief Investigator and consider applications from both the prosecution and defence teams.

During registration and attendance, the judges relied on flashlights from the cell phones of court police officers to provide light. The power outage delayed the proceedings, and the public, allowed inside at 8:30 a.m., waited for more than an hour in the dark and hot courtroom.

Judges finally arrived at 9:36 a.m., escorted by security, using their phone flashlights to enter before announcing the adjournment.

Freedom Hall, currently serving as a courtroom in Juba, was not crowded. Attendees were seen sweating due to the heat, with some removing jackets and others fanning themselves with notebooks.

The session has now been adjourned to Friday, November 14, 2025.