By Yiep Joseph
As the special court trying Puot Kang and seven co-accused continue, fresh narratives emerged with witnesses testifying on the Nasir conflict that left many dead.
This is one of the high-profile cases since it involved the suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar as one of the accused.
The 33rd session that took place on Friday concluded with the fourth prosecution witness, who was one of the soldiers from the South Sudan Peoples Defense Forces (SSPDF) who was stranded in military tank after alleged seizure of Nasir Garrison by the SPLA-IO and the White Army.
As the session proceeded, Sgt. Maj. Ater Bol Piol, the fifth prosecution witness, took an oath and started to present on the Nasir incident.
Bol, who was also one of the soldiers stranded in military tanks after the capture of Nasir garrison, narrated how he survived as he testified before the court.
According to him, after the White Army and the SPLA-IO captured Nasir Garrison, he and the five colleagues entered the military tank, as they could not survive staying outside.
He revealed that as they could not stay in the tanks, they moved out and ran to the bushes with hope to escape Nasir town.
He described fleeing the garrison at night with five colleagues, moving through bushes by moonlight.
However, such a move was not successful after they were obstructed by a river that they could not cross since some of his colleagues could not swim.
Hence, they return back close to the barrack, where they also entered an attack in which all his colleagues were killed.
As the only survivor, Bol said he remains fighting and ready to die fighting.
While in his hideout, a brother called him on phone, and although he was too weak to talk, he tried to receive the call.
Bol said that during his conversation with the brother, one of the SPLA-IO officers who were searching to kill SSPDF soldiers recognized his voice.
According to him, he treated this particular officer’s child while they were in Nasir town.
According to Bol, the SPLA-IO, whom he said was of higher rank, told his colleagues from SPLA-IO and White to push back and allow him to call out the person (Bol).
The colleagues listened and pushed back; hence, he called out the name of Bol, who responded despite being weak.
The SPLA-IO officer assured Bol that nothing will happen to him again, citing how he rescued his child sometime back.
The officer, therefore, with his brother next to him, dropped their guns and told Bol to stand up as well.
The converse in a friendly way as people who have stayed peacefully.
As Bol continues with the testimony, the judge adjourns the court session to Monday, 22 Dec 2025.
The next session is meant for the fifth witness to continue with the testimony.