Dr. Riek Machar, SPLM-IO leader, at the Special Court session in Juba’s Freedom Hall. (Courtesy photo)
The Special Court trying suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused resumed its 30th session on Friday with the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, following the conclusion of the re-cross examination of the first witness.
The morning session began with the usual roll call of both the prosecution and defence teams.
The defence informed the court that one of the accused, a Brigadier General in the National Security Service, was absent due to illness.
Re-Cross Examination of First Witness
The panel of three judges continued questioning the first prosecution witness, Major Peter Malwal Deng, focusing on the formation of two investigation committees: an administrative committee and a criminal investigation committee.
Peter told the court the administrative committee was formed on 15 March 2025, while the criminal committee came later, based on recommendations submitted to senior authorities at the SSPDF headquarters.
Judge James Alala pressed the witness on the movement of forces in Nasir, asking whether SPLA-IO forces had been fully integrated into the SSPDF at the time of the March 2025 clashes.
Peter responded that the integration process was still ongoing.
When asked whether the 4th accused, who held dual roles as SPLA-IO Acting Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Defence, participated in decisions regarding troop movements, Peter said he was aware of such movements.
Judge Alala also asked whether the 1st accused, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang, was a military officer or a politician.
Peter replied that Puot Kang was a politician, which is why the committee did not investigate him.
On claims that some families allegedly paid ransoms for the release of detained individuals, Peter said the committee had no direct contact with those families.
The judges further questioned why the committee did not visit Nasir, despite the clashes occurring there, noting that the SSPDF retook the area on 20 March, five days after the committee was formed.
Second Prosecution Witness Testifies
After concluding Peter’s testimony, the prosecution presented its second witness, Brigadier General Santino Akot Abiem, Director within the SSPDF and a senior officer involved in the attempted evacuation from Nasir.
Akot told the court he authored a report on the evacuation efforts and how the late General David Majur Dak was killed inside Nasir garrison after the town fell to White Army and SPLA-IO forces on 4 March.
He testified that the evacuation initiative was ordered by the Chief of Defence Forces, General Paul Nang.
Following the fall of Nasir, the presidency tasked Dr. Riek Machar and former Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel to coordinate with the UN and IGAD.
According to Akot, Machar assured the UN that White Army and SPLA-IO forces would remain 300–500 meters from the landing zone.
But he said the guarantees “were not respected on the ground.”
Evacuation Attempts and Failed Guarantees
Akot narrated two failed evacuation attempts on 5 and 6 March.
He said two UN aircraft landed at an old UN base in Nasir but found no people, while a second UN plane mistakenly landed in an area controlled by the White Army.
UN helicopters came under fire from White Army and SPLA-IO fighters and were forced to return to Malakal.
He noted that ICRC withdrew from the operation, citing the absence of security guarantees.
Akot said he temporarily moved his office to UNMISS Tongpiny to coordinate communication with UNMISS, ICRC, and SPLA-IO officials.
For the third attempt on 7 March, he said the UN requested that Angelina Teny accompany the aircraft to persuade fighters on the ground to allow the evacuation.
Machar reportedly declined, saying the government “would never accept” her travelling to Nasir, and instead instructed the Upper Nile governor to assign two SPLA-IO officials.
These two officials boarded a UN helicopter with the crew and flew to Nasir. Upon landing, they disembarked alongside a Ukrainian UN crew member.
As six SSPDF survivors exited an armored personnel carrier to board the helicopter, fighters opened fire.
The Ukrainian crew member was killed, while the two SPLA-IO officials boarded safely.
The helicopter returned to Malakal with SPLA-IO fighters attempting to enter the aircraft.
Akot said he remained in radio communication with soldiers still inside an armored tank with Gen. Majur.
He stated he was told they saw Majur being killed and the White Army advancing toward their tank.
He said the soldiers were burned inside the tank until he lost contact and communication.
Machar’s Role and Communication
Akot said he coordinated the evacuation from UNMISS headquarters in Juba and did not travel to Nasir.
He added that Machar remained in contact throughout the operation with the UN, IGAD, the Nasir County Commissioner, and the Upper Nile State governor.
The session ended with the judges adjourning the hearing to Monday, when the defence team is expected to cross-examine Brigadier Akot.
Dr. Riek Machar and the seven co-accused face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, financing terrorist activities, treason, destruction of public property and military assets, and crimes against humanity.
The charges relate to the March 2025 clashes in Nasir, in which the government says SPLA-IO-aligned White Army fighters killed General David Majur Dak and 257 SSPDF soldiers.
