The Special Court established to try First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven other senior SPLM/A (IO) detainees on charges linked to the Nasir Incident on Monday adjourned its proceedings to January 5, 2026, following the conclusion of testimony by the prosecution’s fifth witness.
The adjournment came at the close of the 34th session of the trial, held at Freedom Hall in Juba, where the prosecution continued the examination of Sergeant Major Ater Bol, an officer of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) who was among soldiers involved in the Wech Yar Adiu incident in Nasir County.
During his testimony, Ater Bol told the court that he was captured on March 12, 2025, after SSPDF positions in Nasir were overrun.
He alleged that his captors were fighters from the SPLA (IO) alongside members of the White Army.
He stated that his life was initially spared after an SPLA (IO) officer intervened on his behalf, claiming the witness had previously treated the officer’s son.
Ater testified that following his capture, he was taken to Ulang County, where he was presented to a man identified as Major General Thiech, whom he described as an SPLA (IO) commander.
He further alleged that on March 16, the said commander demanded a US $20,000 ransom, instructing him to contact his family to secure his release.
According to Ater, he informed his captors that his monthly salary was approximately 90,000 South Sudanese pounds (SSP) and that his family could not afford the demanded amount.
He testified that he contacted his brother, who allegedly confirmed that the family lacked the funds.
The witness claimed that his family later managed to raise 11.5 million SSP, which was allegedly transferred to an account under the name Gatwech Rengdit.
He told the court that he did not possess documentary evidence of the payment but had been informed by his family that the money was paid.
Ater further testified that his release along with that of eight other unarmed SSPDF soldiers occurred only after the alleged ransom was paid.
He said the group was flown from the Rupwot airstrip to Juba, marking the end of their captivity.
The witness also told the court that upon arrival in Juba, he was questioned by a military committee, rather than the official investigation committee led by Major General Thomas Basilio Wani, which had been tasked with probing the Nasir incident.
Under cross-examination by the defence, Ater made additional claims, including that he spoke by phone with Dr. Riek Machar on March 15, 2025, while still in captivity.
He alleged that Dr. Machar urged him to join SPLA (IO) forces at the Nasir garrison, remove military equipment, and offered him a promotion to the rank of colonel an offer the witness said he declined.
The defence challenged the credibility of these claims, questioning the circumstances under which such communication could have taken place.
At the conclusion of the session, the court formally adjourned the trial to January 5, 2026, when the prosecution is expected to present additional witnesses as the case continues.
The proceedings remain closely watched due to their political and legal significance amid South Sudan’s fragile peace process.
