JUBA – The sixth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of eight SPLM/A-IO officials testified on Wednesday that he was evacuated by plane from Pagak town after a ransom of $6,000 was paid for his release.
Sergeant Mayen Kuol Chan told the court that his captors escorted him to Pagak airstrip after his family transferred the ransom to Kuergeng, an Ethiopian town near the border.
During the hearing, state prosecutor Ajak Mayol presented Mayen with a photograph showing soldiers carrying SSPDF commander Gen. David Majur during the 7th March evacuation attempt and asked him to identify himself and others in the image. Mayen confirmed that he was among those in the photograph.
However, during cross-examination, defense lawyer Deng John questioned the witness’s identification, pointing out that one of the individuals in the photo appeared to have missing upper teeth. Mayen maintained that he was indeed the person shown in the image.
The defense also asked whether Mayen had any proof or receipt confirming the ransom payment. He told the court that he did not have such documentation.
Mayen further clarified that Gen. Majur’s phone was functional at the time, responding to questions about why SPLM/A-IO leader Riek Machar was reportedly calling the commander using a bodyguard’s phone.
Following re-examination by the prosecution and additional questioning by the judges, the court adjourned the 36th session to January 12, 2026. The judges are expected to rule during the next session on the prosecution’s application for witness protection.