Author: Michael Daniel | Published: 11 hours ago
Gabriel Duop Lam, Riek Machar, Puot Kang and co-accused at court cell.
Photo credit: Obaj Okuj/Eye Radio
The Special Court in Juba has adjourned proceedings until August 5, when judges are expected to question fourth accused Gabriel Duop Lam before hearing the defence statement of the fifth accused, First Vice President Dr Riek Machar.
Meanwhile, lawyers representing Dr Riek Machar have asked the court to allow them to visit him at his residence in Juba’s Amarat neighbourhood to prepare him for his defence statement ahead of the next session.
In today’s 103rd court session, Gabriel Duop Lam completed his defence before the Special Court, denying allegations that he planned or coordinated the March 2025 violence in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
Duop Lam told the court that the fighting was a confrontation between local youth and government forces, rather than a planned military operation by the SPLM/A-IO.
He rejected all charges against him, arguing that the prosecution had failed to present evidence directly linking him to the violence.
Addressing the court, Duop Lam said he never received orders from the SPLM/A-IO commander-in-chief to attack the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF). He also denied coordinating with opposition officers in Nasir or discussing financial support for mobilising local youth.
The accused argued that investigators, National Security complainants, an SSPDF report, and a South African forensic expert had failed to provide documentary or forensic evidence, including attack orders, voice recordings, photographs, or video footage, to support the allegations against him.
Duop Lam told the court that he could not have participated in the events because he was sitting his final-year examinations at the University of Juba after receiving official permission from the Chief of Defence Forces.
He said meetings he attended during the period focused on plans to replace overstayed SSPDF troops in Nasir with members of the Necessary Unified Forces.
Duop Lam further alleged that the prosecution was politically motivated and intended to undermine the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
On September 22, 2025, First Vice President Dr Riek Machar and seven co-accused officials appeared before the Special Court in Juba over allegations linked to the March 2025 attack on a military garrison in Nasir, Upper Nile State, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 250 soldiers and an army general.
They face serious charges, including treason, murder, terrorism, conspiracy, crimes against humanity, and destruction of public property.
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