Special Court Sits for 35th Session in Juba
Monday in Juba, the special court studying the 2025 “Nasir events” opened its thirty-fifth sitting with full legal teams present.
Suspended First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar and other SPLM-IO leaders were in the dock, while a sixth defendant missed proceedings for health reasons, defense lawyer Dr. Giri Raimondo confirmed.
Witness Describes Two-Day Offensive on Nasir
The sixth prosecution witness, an SSPDF sergeant formerly assigned to the late General David Majur Dak, described a two-day offensive on Nasir County beginning 3 March 2025.
He said SPLM-IO fighters, reinforced by the community-based “White Army”, overran government defenses despite prior intelligence of a second strike on 4 March.
Phone Calls and Rejected Surrender Demands
During the siege, the sergeant and General Majur reportedly sheltered in an armored vehicle as repeated calls for surrender arrived.
The witness alleged that Dr. Machar telephoned the general, urging capitulation, which Majur declined, insisting he would obey only the defense minister or the chief of staff.
A follow-up demand to yield to the Nasir governor was similarly rejected because, the sergeant said, the commander viewed the governor as an active combatant.
Evacuation Effort Falters Amid Tank Redistribution Claim
By 5 March, UN officials had begun organizing an evacuation for the surrounded force, which the general estimated at 55 soldiers inside the vehicles.
The sergeant claimed Dr. Machar later stated that four government tanks were already redistributed—one to SPLA-IO units and three to allied local groups.
He added that the evacuation collapsed amid gunfire, leaving General Majur fatally wounded; the witness was captured and freed only after relatives negotiated a ransom from ten to six thousand dollars with a local sultan.
Cross-Examination Looms as Trial Resumes in January
The bench adjourned until 7 January, when defence counsel will question the sergeant’s narrative, potentially challenging the alleged phone calls and tank distribution.
Observers say the coming cross-examination could clarify command structures within SPLM-IO during the Nasir assault, while the court’s steady pace underscores Juba’s commitment to accountability.