11 March 2014 - The trial of four political leaders accused of masterminding a coup in mid-December 2013 to overthrow President Salva Kiir’s government began today in a special Juba court.

The detainees include Pagan Amum Okiech, former secretary-general of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement; Majak D’Agoot, former deputy minister of defence; Oyai Deng Ajak, ex-minister for national security in the office of the president; and Ezekiel Gatkuoth, the former head of the government liaison office in the United States.

The four accused face several charges, including allegations of treason and inciting violence, according to media reports.

At the time of the alleged coup, violence erupted in Juba, pitting forces loyal to the president against those loyal to his former deputy president Riek Machar. The conflict, which has killed thousands of people, quickly spread to three other states – Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile.