March 28th, 2019(Nyamilepedia) — The long awaited trial of Maj. Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang was postponed again this morning in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, as the prosecutor cites “not prepared”.
The General Court Martial(GCM), formed by President Salva Kiir on February 14th, 2019, was scheduled to meet for the first time this morning, March 28th, at 10AM, however, the Judge postponed the trial claiming that he is not ready for the trial.
This would be the 4th time the trial, which has faced many controversies, is being postponed this year.
Early in January, 2019, the Chief of South Sudan Defense Forces, Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak, illegally formed a General Court Martial and sanctioned it to start the hearing within January; however, the defense lawyers challenged the GCM and walked out two times before they proceed to appeal the Case at South Sudan Supreme citing articles that the CDF cannot form a GCM for trials that involve senior generals from ranks of Brigadier Generals and higher.
The GCM that was formed by Gen. Jok was also composed of junior officers in violation of the SPLA Act 2009.
Such violations and other political controversies invited social media which eventually dragged the case to J1.
On February 14th, the Commander in Chief, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, formed a five-membered General Court Martial that would be composed of senior generals who are of the rank of Maj. General.
The President of the new GCM is now Maj. Gen. Thiik Aciek Hol, however, the judge remains the same, Brig. Gen. Abubaker Mohammed Ramadan who was appointed by Gen. Jok Riak.
