Seventh, eighth prosecution witnesses detail how Nasir attack was planned, executed

JUBA — The seventh and eighth prosecution witnesses told the Special Court on the Nasir Incident that a series of planning meetings, mobilization efforts and failed initial assaults preceded the March 2025 attack on the SSPDF garrison in Nasir by the SPLA-IO-allied community militia, the White Army, which left SSPDF commander Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak and more than 200 soldiers dead.

The testimony was delivered during the court’s 38th session at Freedom Hall in Juba in proceedings conducted behind closed doors, with public and media access restricted to protect the identities of the witnesses.

The seventh prosecution witness, identified only as MTR, a First Lieutenant in the South Sudan Police Service, told the court that he was stationed in Nasir County from April 2024 until early March 2025. His testimony focused on events leading up to the assault on the Nasir Military Garrison, also known as Wech-Yar-Adiu.

MTR testified that on February 10, 2025, Nasir County Commissioner James Gatluak Lew convened a meeting in Mandeng. According to the witness, the purpose of the gathering was to prevent the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) from entering Nasir County, and an agreement was reached toward that objective.

He further told the court that during the same meeting, SPLA-IO senior officers Major General Peter Ruach Wie and his deputy, Choul Manyal, were selected to travel to Ulang County, where additional meetings involving SPLA-IO officers and members of the White Army took place between February 13 and 15.

MTR testified that on February 16, 2025, the group moved to Duma Payam and, on February 25, launched an attack on SSPDF barges in the Luel area. He stated that the attack failed and the group later returned to their divisional headquarters. He added that mobilization then intensified in Nasir town to resist SSPDF entry.

According to the witness, further preparations took place later in February. He told the court that on February 28, 2025, a final planning meeting was held, after which the late Tor Gile Thoan and his deputy Kang Makana were selected to lead the attack on the Nasir Military Garrison.

MTR also testified about an incident at the Nasir Police Station shortly before the assault on the garrison. He stated that approximately ten individuals attacked the station, removed the national flag of South Sudan and the police flag, and burned them. He told the court that he was inside the police station during the incident and recognized three of those involved.

Following the flag-burning incident, MTR testified that he contacted Maj. Gen. Majur Dak to inform him of what had occurred, and that the SSPDF commander replied, “Be cautious.”

He further told the court that as the attack on the Wech-Yar-Adiu garrison began on the morning of March 3, 2025, he relocated to Kuat village in northeastern Nasir County. He said he had earlier warned a military intelligence officer at the garrison of an impending attack, who replied, “I can see them coming,” before gunfire erupted.

MTR testified that later the same day he moved to Burebiey, crossed into Ethiopia, and travelled to Maiwut, before eventually returning to Nasir after the town was recaptured by the SSPDF. He later travelled to Juba, where he met investigators from a committee led by Maj. Gen. Basilio Wani.

Defence challenges the source of information

During cross-examination, defence lawyers questioned the basis of MTR’s knowledge of several meetings he described. He admitted that he did not personally attend the Mandeng meeting on February 10, the Ulang meetings from February 13 to 15, or the meeting where Tor Gile and Kang Makana were selected to lead the assault. He told the court that he learned of those meetings through his own sources.

However, he confirmed that he was physically present at the Nasir Police Station during the flag-burning incident. He said police officers there were not armed and could not intervene.

MTR also clarified discrepancies regarding his departure from Nasir, stating that he left on March 3, 2025, and arrived in Juba on July 8, 2025, where he met the investigation committee.

When questioned by the court panel, MTR confirmed that he was a First Lieutenant and the senior police officer in charge at the station during the flag-burning incident. He told judges that the attack on the Wech-Yar-Adiu garrison occurred on the morning of March 3, 2025, and that the individuals who burned the flags “arrived at the station without speaking and immediately took down and burned the two flags.”

Eighth witness details clashes and alleged financing

The eighth prosecution witness, identified as DWD, a Captain in the South Sudan Police Service currently serving in the Directorate of Immigration, Civil Registry, Nationality and Passports, told the court he was stationed in Nasir throughout the conflict period from February to March 2025.

DWD testified that armed clashes in Nasir town involved the SSPDF, the SPLA-IO and the White Army. He stated that tensions escalated when an SSPDF barge convoy travelling from Malakal toward Nasir came under attack in late February 2025.

He told the court that General Gabriel Duop Lam, Acting Chief of Staff of the SPLA-IO and one of the accused, contacted General Peter Thok Chuol in the Mandeng area and instructed him not to allow the barges to reach Nasir. He said Peter Thok later travelled to Ulang and held meetings with local residents, warning them that the barges’ arrival would be followed by disarmament operations across several areas, including Nasir.

According to DWD, White Army members rejected the proposed disarmament, arguing it should only take place where armed youth were present. He testified that a joint force of White Army and SPLA-IO fighters then attacked the barge convoy in the Nyanthor area, but the government forces repelled the assault, and the barges continued their journey before becoming stranded in Barmach due to sand accumulation.

DWD told the court that after the barge incident, SPLA-IO forces began mobilization activities within Nasir. He testified that Commissioner James Gatluak Lew convened a meeting of fifteen Payam chiefs, during which it was announced that the first accused, Puot Kang Chuol, had sent US$30,000 to procure weapons and food supplies for the White Army. According to the witness, each Payam was to receive US$2,000 for mobilization.

He told the court that the Paramount Chief of Kiech-Kuon Payam, Gat-Loch, refused to participate, warning that mobilization would lead to loss of life. He testified that the chief was subsequently removed from his position and later fled to Ethiopia.

DWD further told the court that Tor Gile was selected to lead the assault on the Nasir Military Garrison, with Kang Makana as his deputy. He stated that the attack began on March 3, 2025, during which Tor Gile was killed by SSPDF forces, and that on March 4, Kang Makana led a second offensive that captured the garrison. He told the court that he personally witnessed these events and remained in Nasir until March 8, 2025.

Cross-examination highlights limits of direct knowledge

Under cross-examination, DWD acknowledged that he was not present in Mandeng during the alleged phone conversation between Gabriel Duop Lam and Peter Thok Chuol and learned of it from Kang Makana. He admitted that he did not personally see the alleged US$30,000 and that his knowledge of the funds came from a Payam chief serving under the Nasir Commissioner.

He confirmed that only SPLM-IO and SPLM-IG were politically active in Nasir County and that discussions at the chiefs’ meeting focused on preparations for war. He also clarified that while he did not witness events on March 6 and 7, he observed White Army marches during that period and later learned that Maj. Gen. Majur Dak was killed during those days.

When questioned by the court, DWD confirmed he was in Nasir town at the time of Majur Dak’s killing and stated that anyone present in Nasir on March 6 and 7 would have been aware of the fatalities. He also confirmed that the chiefs’ meeting included civilian participants and no SSPDF officers.

At the conclusion of the session, Presiding Judge James Alala Deng adjourned proceedings to Friday, January 16, when the prosecution is expected to call additional witnesses.