By Yiep Joseph
Judges in the trial of suspended First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar and co-accused will today rule on recording his statement, both audio and video.
Machar, the fifth accused in the case, wants his remaining statement captured in a separate digital record.
He said that the recording would preserve his account for the people of South Sudan, future courts, and academic institutions.
His defense has argued that the request would create a permanent record of his testimony and protect his account against possible changes in the country’s political and security environment.
The request has sparked a procedural dispute between the defense and prosecution over how Machar’s testimony should be recorded and preserved.
At Wednesday’s 107th session, lead defense counsel Geri Raimondo Legge submitted the defense’s written response to a prosecution submission concerning the recording request.
Lubati also raised concerns about cameras operating inside the courtroom.
He told the judges that two cameras positioned upstairs belonged to the defense, while he believed another camera downstairs belonged to the prosecution.
Geri raised the issue in the context of what he described as the need for equal protection between the two sides.
Lead prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa acknowledged receiving the defense’s response but said it raised new issues that had not previously been before the court.
The prosecution reserved its position on those matters and left them for the judges to determine.
The court then adjourned the proceedings to today, August 17.
Machar is facing trial alongside other senior political and military figures over allegations linked to violence and events that followed the renewed conflict in South Sudan.
The case is being closely watched because of Machar’s central role in the country’s political and armed conflict history.
He has served as a senior political figure and has repeatedly been at the centre of negotiations and peace agreements aimed at ending South Sudan’s cycles of violence.
Machar’s defense has maintained that his testimony is important to understanding the events at the centre of the case.
The request for additional audio and video recordings has now added another dimension to the proceedings, with the defense seeking to ensure that his account is preserved in a format that can be accessed in the future.
Today’s 108th session could determine whether Machar will be allowed to make his own audio and video record of his remaining testimony.