Bodyguard of Gen. Majur claims family paid $6,000 to secure release from militia

JUBA — A bodyguard for a slain South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) commander General David Majur Dak testified in a special court on Monday that his family paid a $6,000 ransom to secure his release after he was captured by the “White Army” militia during the fall of Nasir.

Sgt. Mayen Kuol Chan, a prosecution witness and survivor of the March 2025 attack on the Nasir garrison, testified during the 35^th session of the high-profile trial presided over by Judge James Alala Deng in Juba.

Mayen told the court that as two United Nations helicopters arrived at the besieged garrison on March 7, he and Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak left their military tanks under the escort of Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) officers.

“Majur was injured, so he couldn’t walk. The SPLA-IO officers held his legs and carried him to the helicopter. The SPLA-IO soldiers were standing on the right hand side and white army on the left hand side. After reaching mid-way, the SPLA-IO officers threw Majur down,” Mayen said.

“After throwing him down, SPLA-IO soldiers started shooting at us and we all scattered, I ran back to the military tank and the SPLA-IO officers ran to the side of their forces,” he added.

The witness stated that he was subsequently captured by the White Army militia while hiding in a military tank. His captors initially demanded a ransom of $10,000 for his life. Mayen testified that a phone call was placed to his uncle to convey the demand.

When his uncle responded that the $10,000 figure was beyond his family’s means, the captors warned that failure to pay would result in the soldier’s execution. Mayen said he personally negotiated with the militia to reduce the amount to $6,000.

His family eventually agreed to the lower sum but requested his relocation to a safer area before the funds were transferred.

The court adjourned the session until January 7, when the defense team is scheduled to cross-examine the witness.

The trial centers on 73-year-old opposition leader Riek Machar and seven associates, who face charges of treason, murder, and crimes against humanity. The charges follow the March 2025 assault by the White Army, which prosecutors say was linked to Machar, on the SSPDF brigade headquarters in Nasir.

According to the prosecution, the attack on Nasir resulted in the deaths of Maj. Gen. Majur, over 250 government soldiers, and a member of a U.N. helicopter crew. Military equipment valued at approximately $58 million was reportedly destroyed or seized during the offensive.

The other defendants named in the case are Puot Kang Chol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.