Special Court Hearing on Riek Machar Case
The special court trial involving suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused continued on Wednesday with testimony from a prosecution witness, centered on events linked to the March 2025 incident in Nasir (Eye Radio).
The session took place with both prosecution and defense present. The sixth accused was again absent, with the court citing health-related reasons, according to the hearing account (Eye Radio).
Witness Account: Alleged $6,000 Transfer and Ethiopia Link
Prosecution witness Sergeant Mayen Kuol Chan, examined by prosecutor Ajak Mayul, told the court that 6,000 US dollars was allegedly sent to Kuer-geng in Ethiopia. He said the funds were received by a man identified as Gattuak via an Ethiopian bank, then converted into Ethiopian Birr (Eye Radio).
Sergeant Mayen testified that, after the transfer, Gattuak informed his uncle. He said they were instructed to proceed to Pagak, but did not reach the same day and instead spent the night in a nearby village (Eye Radio).
Travel to Juba and Military Intelligence Questioning
The next morning, Sergeant Mayen said his uncle received another call directing him to collect travel tickets at the airport from a man identified as Mayen Jany. He testified that names were called after a plane landed, and seven people, including him, were selected to travel to Juba (Eye Radio).
He told the court that family members received him at Juba International Airport. He added that Military Intelligence officers approached, asked whether he had come from Nasir, and then instructed him to accompany them to their offices after he confirmed his origin (Eye Radio).
Detention Narrative and ‘Nasir Investigation Committee’
Sergeant Mayen testified that he told officers he was the bodyguard of the late Major General David Majur Dak and described himself as a survivor of the March 2025 Nasir incident. He said his family members were permitted to leave while he was detained for further questioning (Eye Radio).
He added that he was taken to the head of Military Intelligence and later investigated by what he called the “Nasir Investigation Committee.” He told the court he could not confirm whether that body was police-led or military-led (Eye Radio).
Digital Exhibit Shown: Photo of Soldiers Carrying Body
During the hearing, the prosecution sought permission to introduce a digital exhibit containing a photograph showing soldiers carrying the body of the late General David Majur Dak. Presiding Judge James Alala granted the request, and the court adjourned briefly to retrieve the flash drive (Eye Radio).
When proceedings resumed, the photograph was displayed in court. Under questioning, Sergeant Mayen identified himself in the image and named several soldiers he said were from both the SSPDF and SPLA-IO (Eye Radio).
Defense Cross-Examination on Communications and Evidence
Lead defense lawyer Deng John Deng cross-examined the witness on his identity in the photograph, alleged communications between the late General Majur and Dr. Riek Machar, and the nature of the committee that questioned him, as reflected in the court report (Eye Radio).
The witness testified that General Majur communicated with Dr. Machar in the Nuer language using his own phone. He denied knowing a man identified as Thomas Magok Chol, whom the defense alleged worked in Dr. Machar’s office to facilitate communications (Eye Radio).
Clarifications on Money, Travel Numbers, and Languages Used
On the alleged $6,000 transfer, Sergeant Mayen said he was not present when the money was received and could not provide a receipt. He also testified that ten people traveled in total, naming Malong, Mohammed, and Gattuak among those who traveled (Eye Radio).
Judges asked additional questions after re-examination. Judge Stephen Simon asked which language was used between Dr. Machar and the late General Majur; the witness said mainly Nuer, and said Arabic was used with another person identified as Mayang (Eye Radio).
Presiding Judge James Alala asked where Sergeant Mayen learned Nuer. The witness replied that he learned it from neighbors from Bentiu while in Nasir, according to the court session account (Eye Radio).
Next Hearing Date and Witness Protection Debate
The court adjourned the case to Monday, January 12, 2026. Judges said the next session will consider a prosecution application seeking protection for the remaining ten witnesses (Eye Radio).
The defense opposed the request, arguing there is no need for witness protection and calling for full transparency in trial proceedings, as reported from the hearing (Eye Radio).