Former First Vice President Riek Machar testified on Wednesday at the 125th session of the ongoing Nasir trial, denying allegations that he played a role in escalating the March 2025 Nasir conflict. Machar, the fifth accused, refuted claims made by former Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel regarding the crisis. During his testimony, Machar provided details about his actions leading up to the conflict.
Machar stated that on March 1, 2025, he instructed the commissioners of Nasir and Ulang counties, along with chiefs and youth leaders, to encourage young people to leave Nasir town and return to their villages. He reported that most complied, with only members of the Mitnyiel section and a few other residents remaining in the town. Machar further asserted that the two commissioners confirmed to him on March 2 that the youth had left Nasir and Ulang.
Machar denied accusations that he ordered Tor Gille Tuoan to take action after barges carrying government troops failed to reach Nasir. He explained that he was unaware of the nature of the orders he gave to Tor, but knew that the barges were transporting South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers to relieve those stationed at Wec-yar-Adiw. A 75-year-old SPLM-IO leader corroborated that the barges were meant to transport SSPDF soldiers for replacement.
The SPLM-IO leader detailed a telephone conference he held with the commissioners of Ulang and Nasir, Upper Nile State Governor James Odok, and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Paul Nang Majok, discussing alternative arrangements after the vessels could not proceed beyond Malakal. He proposed hiring six large boats to transport the soldiers and their supplies, and Gen. Paul Nang agreed to cover the $60,000 cost for the vessels, sourced from Burebie near the Ethiopian border.
Machar also refuted Bol Mel’s claim that he was asked to deploy SPLA-IO forces as a buffer zone between government troops and the White Army but neglected to respond. He clarified that Bol Mel never made such a request, noting that a buffer zone had already been established by SPLA-IO forces during clashes between government troops and local youth in Nasir on February 10–12, 2024.
Additionally, Machar denied claims that the White Army fought to recover the body of Sultan Tor Gille Tuoan from trenches, asserting that he continued to communicate with Bol Mel after March 4, 2025, through Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs Garang Tony Aken and Gen. Paul Nang. He also disputed Bol Mel’s account of an alleged joint meeting involving himself, Bol Mel, the UN, and the chief of defense forces to discuss the evacuation of government troops from Nasir.
The court adjourned the session to November 2, 2026, when Machar is expected to continue his defense statement. Machar denied that the White Army was supported by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), likening it to groups he identified as Dut Ku Beny, Mathiang Anyor, and Tit Bay, which he claimed were militias supported by the SSPDF.
Key points
- Machar denies role in escalating Nasir conflict
- Machar testifies at Nasir trial
- Court adjourns session to November 2, 2026
