20/10/2025
Investigator details Machar’s role in Nasir garrison attack
The lead investigator testified Monday that suspended First Vice President Riek Machar personally authorized local teams that mobilized the White Army militia for coordinated attacks on the army base, then failed to prevent the killing of surrendered SSPDF soldiers.
Presenting evidence during the 12th session in the special court, Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, police commissioner of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, laid out the prosecution’s case detailing Machar’s alleged command role in the March 2025 attacks on South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) positions in Nasir and Ulang, Upper Nile State.
Machar, 75, and seven co-defendants face charges including treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism and destruction of property.
The government alleges the March assault was carried out by forces loyal to Machar’s SPLM-IO and the allied White Army militia. The trial in Juba began on Sept. 22.
Investigator Wani testified that Machar, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), set the stage for the violence in Nasir.
The court was shown a letter dated March 1, 2025, allegedly written by Machar, instructing county commissioners in Nasir and Ulang to form teams comprising local chiefs, SPLA-IO members, and youth to “receive SSPDF barges and safeguard their movement.”
“These very teams later attacked and captured the Nasir garrison, resulting in multiple casualties and the destruction of property,” Wani told the court.
The investigator stated that after the White Army militia overran the Nasir garrison on March 7, Machar convinced the garrison’s commander, the late Gen. David Majur Dak, to surrender. However, Wani argued that Machar then neglected his duty to protect those who surrendered.
“The First Vice President failed to act despite having intelligence about the planned assaults,” Wani said. “He neglected to issue orders to stop the attacks or to protect surrendered SSPDF troops and UN personnel.”
The court heard that during evacuation efforts coordinated with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Machar communicated with then-Nasir County Commissioner James Gatluak Lew and SPLA-IO commanders. Wani alleged Machar advised them to persuade SSPDF officers to abandon their weapons inside their Armored Personnel Carriers before boarding UN helicopters.
Prosecutors said that once the soldiers were disarmed, White Army and SPLA-IO forces seized the weapons and executed wounded soldiers, including Gen. Dak and his bodyguards.
Although Machar did not speak during Monday’s session, prosecutors noted he has previously denied any role in the Nasir and Ulang incidents, insisting those responsible acted independently.
The prosecution also detailed the alleged roles of Machar’s co-accused.
Wani accused MP Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66, of disseminating intelligence and supporting White Army mobilization. He stated that during a press conference in Juba, Puoch objected to the SSPDF’s “unilateral decision” to move forces to Nasir. Puoch also claimed the forces were not pure SSPDF but included Agwelek and Abushock militias, rather than unified forces.
Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53, SSPDF Deputy Chief of Defense Forces who was also acting SPLA-IO chief of staff, was accused of sharing classified military information and failing to alert SSPDF command about imminent attacks. Wani said Duop discussed purchasing 500 PKM machine-gun rounds with SPLA-IO field commanders in late 2024.
Mam Pal Dhuor, 37, was described as a financier and liaison. Wani said Dhuor coordinated mobile money transfers of 123,000 Kenyan shillings and 625,000 Ethiopian birr to support operations and shared casualty lists through WhatsApp with White Army commanders.
Camilo Gatmai Kel, 45, a National Security Service officer, was accused of sharing official documents without authorization and facilitating the movement of unlicensed weapons linked to the attacks.
Mading Yak Riek, 45, a radio operator, was accused of sharing classified details of SSPDF troop movements with SPLA-IO commanders. Investigators testified that during his arrest, he used WhatsApp to send messages saying he planned to delete data from his phone to avoid self-implication.
Another accused, Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27, was accused of circulating a list via WhatsApp of SPLA-IO officers who were promoted after the Nasir garrison attack as a “reward for victory.”
Machar’s lead defense lawyer, Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge, repeatedly objected to the prosecution’s evidence, arguing that the questions were “leading and prejudicial.”
Most objections were overruled by Presiding Judge James Alala Deng.
Judge Deng adjourned the session until Wednesday, October 22, noting that the status of other accused persons who remain at large has not yet been determined by the court.
Last week, the lead investigator said the first accused, suspended Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chuol, was involved in the Nasir attack by sending $30,000 to mobilize the White Army to attack the army base.
~ RT
