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INVESTIGATOR: Showcase Dr. Machar’s alleged roles in Nasir conflict

By Yiep Joseph

As the court trials for Puot Kang and the seven co-accused proceed, the tough sessions surface with the lead investigator outlining the alleged roles of each accused person in the Nasir conflict.

During the 12th session on Monday, the lead investigator, Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, read out the roles played by each of the accused, including the Suspended First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.

While presenting the roles of the accused, the lead investigator revealed that the investigation established that the white army were commander by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) during the conflict in Nasir.

As the Commander in Chief of the SPLA-IO forces, the investigator reported that the investigation finding established that Dr. Machar failed to stop the garrison attack since he has authority over those commanding the White Army.

He (Investigator) read out that the accused No.5 (Dr. Riek Machar) by virtue of his authority as a commander-in-chief of SPLA-IO, failed to prevent the atrocities committed during the Nasir incident.

The investigator reiterated that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLA-IO) collaborated with the White Army to attack the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) garrison.

In addition, the investigation finding as read out by the investigator alleged that Dr. Machar failed to intervene or issue orders to the White Army to stop the killing of unarmed SSPDF soldiers who had surrendered their weapons.

The investigator said that despite Dr. Machar guaranteeing the safe evacuation of the late Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak, he did not fulfill that pledge, resulting in the killing of the general and his forces.

Investigator Thomas said that Dr. Machar, in his capacity as SPLA-IO commander-in-chief, issued a letter to the commissioners of Nasir and Ulang counties in Upper Nile, forming two committees of chiefs, White Army members, and SPLA-IO commanders to receive SSPDF forces and ensure their safe movement to Nasir, as documented in a letter marked Prosecution Document Number Eight.

However, the investigator said the teams allegedly turned out to be mobilizers who incite the white army to attacked and killed government soldiers.

Meanwhile, at the start of the previous session, in which this letter was presented as a prosecution document, Dr. Machr acknowledged that his letter was an attempt to reduce the tension and conflict.

According to the investigator, Dr. Machar denied that Colonel who was commanding the White Army at the first attack as SPLA-IO officer.

Meanwhile, later it was discovered that the colonel was member in the SPLA-IO ranks, according to the prosecution document, hence a role in fuelling violence in Nasir.

The court heard that during evacuation efforts coordinated with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Dr. Machar communicated with then-Nasir County Commissioner James Gatluak Lew and SPLA-IO commanders.

Investigator Thomas alleged that Machar advised SPL-IO leaders to persuade SSPDF officers to abandon their weapons inside their Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) before boarding UN helicopters.

The investigator 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.

In addition, the investigation established that MP Gatwech Lam Puoch was involved in disseminating intelligence and supporting White Army mobilization.

He (investigator) stated that during a press conference in Juba, Puoch objected to the planned replacement of the SSPDF forces in Nasir, terming it a “unilateral decision,” a move that angered the communities, leading them to mobilize and attack the garrison, leading to atrocities.

Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 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.

In September, the government of South Sudan filed six charges, including treason and murder, against its First Vice President and opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and seven others in connection with the March 2025 Nasir incident.

Dr. Joseph Geng Akec, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, announced in a press briefing in Juba that the government’s investigative committee has concluded its probe and filed charges against Dr. Machar and his allies.

The accused, including Dr. Riek Machar, Mr. Puot Kang Choi, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Mr. Mam Pal Dhuor, Mr. Gatwich Lam Puoch, Brig. Gen. Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mr. Mading Riek Yak, and Mr. Dominic Gatrgok Riek of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army–In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), are alleged to have coordinated with the White Army in attacks on the Nasir barracks from 3 to 7 March 2025.

The incident resulted in the deaths of Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak, over 250 SSPDF soldiers, and a United Nations pilot.

 

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