Cross-Examination Exposes Evidentiary Void
During the 26th hearing, lead defence counsel Kur Lual Kur challenged prosecution witness Maj. Peter Malual Deng to present any document, recording or message proving that suspended First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar ordered militia leader Kang Makana to kill Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak (The Dawn Newspaper, 29 Nov 2025).
Investigator Concedes No Recorded Orders
Maj. Malual told the court that the joint military committee held no audio or written directive from Machar. He nevertheless argued that shooting orders should originate from the field commander, hinting at implied responsibility without offering corroborating material evidence.
Competing Narratives on Nasir Motives
Kur cited the late Tor Gille Thoan’s claim that the garrison was attacked to seize weapons, while Malual maintained the assault stemmed from protests over troop rotation, allegedly politicised by some SPLA-IO officers and politicians who feared non-SSPDF forces were involved.
Timeline of Force Rotation Disputed
Defence lawyers suggested the relief process began under former Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Santino Deng Wol. Malual said he only knew of a January 21 2025 order by current chief Gen. Paul Nang, adding that top-level decisions govern such deployments.
Trial Continues Amid High Stakes
Machar, 73, and seven co-accused face counts of murder, treason and crimes against humanity over the March 3 2025 Nasir attack that reportedly killed more than 200 soldiers. Presiding judge adjourned proceedings until December 1, when defence counsel will resume questioning Maj. Malual.