JUBA – The defense team in the trial of eight SPLM/A-IO officials has claimed that suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar provided food, medicine, and assistance to SSPDF soldiers who were besieged in Armored Personnel Carriers after the fall of Nasir, and paid ransom for the evacuation of survivors to Juba.
The claims emerged during the 29th session of the trial, in which both the defense and prosecution concluded questioning of the first witness, Maj. Peter Malual Deng of the SSPDF.
Defense lawyers questioned whether the investigation committee was aware of what they described as Machar’s role in aiding survivors of the Nasir incident. Advocate Kur Lual Kur asked the witness if the committee knew that Machar had instructed the Nasir County Commissioner to deliver food to the captive soldiers, as well as medicine and a mobile phone to the late Gen. David Majur.
Maj. Malual disputed the assertions, saying the soldiers received no assistance. “From 4th to 7th March, no commissioner provided them with water or food,” he said. “They only drank water from the car radiator and ate chicken.”
Kur further asked whether the witness was aware that Machar allegedly paid a ransom of 500 US dollars each for 24 SSPDF soldiers. Maj. Malual said he knew nothing of the payment, adding that he only recalled family members contributing money for the soldiers’ release.
The defense also asked whether the committee investigated the distance between SPLA-IO positions and the SSPDF garrison in Wic-Yaradiu. Maj. Malual responded that the committee did not examine that issue, saying it was outside its mandate.
After the defense concluded its cross-examination, the prosecution re-examined the witness based on previous testimonies. State lawyer Martha Jabe asked whether there was direct evidence linking any of the accused to the death of Gen. Majur in Nasir.
Maj. Malual repeated that Gen. Majur was killed by Kang Makana, an SPLA-IO ally. “Kang Makana said he and Gatluak Lew, the Nasir Commissioner, had no differences and were working for Dr. Riek Machar,” he said. “That is Machar’s command responsibility.”
Presiding judge Dr. James Alala Deng adjourned the session to Friday, 12 December 2025, when the panel of judges is expected to conduct its own cross-examination of the witness.