JUBA – The trial of eight SPLM/A-IO officials resumed on Friday, with the fifth prosecution witness taking the stand after the court concluded the cross-examination of the fourth witness.
During the 33rd session, the defense asked the fourth witness, 1st Lt. Mohamed Ahmed Jidu, whether he had audio evidence of a phone meeting between First Vice President Riek Machar and Nasir authorities, which the witness had previously claimed was the basis for the decision to launch the attack on the Nasir garrison on 2nd March 2025.
Jidu stated that he did not possess any audio recordings of the meeting, emphasizing that his testimony was based on military intelligence and information from his in-laws.
Jidu also clarified that there were 33 soldiers meant to be evacuated alongside Gen. David Majur, disputing earlier reports that only 27 soldiers were involved.
During cross-examination by the judges, Jidu was asked whether he was present during the alleged phone meeting between Machar and the White Army, or if he was relying on secondhand information. Jidu confirmed that he was not present at the meeting and that his knowledge was based on hearsay.
Meanwhile, the fifth witness, Sergeant Major Ater Bol Piol of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), who survived the violence in Nasir, testified that SPLA-IO commander Brig. Gen. Koang Mayom was directly involved in the attack, alongside the White Army.
Ater described how, after the Nasir garrison was captured, he fled the area and attempted to make his way to Malakal. He was eventually captured but spared by an SPLA-IO officer whose son Ater had previously treated.
The court session was adjourned until Monday, 22nd December 2025.
