Former First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has denied allegations of ordering the late Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak to surrender during fighting in Nasir in March 2025. Machar made the statements during the 126th session of his trial on Monday, November 2, 2026. He claimed he had instead tried to secure Majur Dak's safe evacuation from the area. Machar rejected the allegation as politically motivated.
Machar explained that he had made efforts to ensure Majur Dak was evacuated safely after fighting broke out in Nasir on March 3, 2025. He stated that he would excuse those who made the allegation without knowing the facts but accused those who knew about his efforts of acting out of political motives. Machar emphasized that he had done his best to ensure a peaceful evacuation.
Machar also denied commanding the White Army, an armed youth group. He stated that Regina Joseph Kaba, the acting chairperson of the SPLA-IO, does not command the group either. Machar insisted that neither he nor Kaba exercised command over the White Army, which prosecutors accuse of fighting alongside SPLA-IO forces during the March 2025 attack on the Nasir military garrison.
Machar's identification of Kaba as acting SPLM-IO chairperson comes amid a leadership dispute with Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, who has also claimed authority to lead the opposition movement in his absence. Machar and Kaba's roles in the SPLA-IO have been subjects of controversy. The trial is ongoing, with Machar presenting his defense.
Machar denied allegations that he and local youths had held between 170 and 176 survivors of the Nasir incident hostage. He claimed that the survivors were evacuated from the area to Juba following his intervention. Machar cited remarks allegedly made by former Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel during the burial of Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak on March 19, 2025.
Machar quoted Bol Mel as calling for armed groups and civilians carrying weapons to leave the corridors around Nasir, regardless of whether they belonged to the SPLA-IO or government security forces. Bol Mel also appealed to the Chief of Defence Forces and other senior military officers to facilitate the immediate return of government troops to Nasir. Machar cited these remarks in support of his account of the events surrounding the Nasir fighting.
The trial will continue on Friday, November 6, 2026. Machar and seven co-defendants face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces allied with the White Army killed 257 SSPDF soldiers, including their commander, Gen. David Majur Dak, during the March 2025 attack on the Nasir military garrison.
Key points
- Machar denies ordering Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak to surrender during the Nasir fighting in March 2025.
- Machar claims he tried to secure Majur Dak's safe evacuation from the area.
- The trial will continue on November 6, 2026, with Machar presenting his defense against charges including murder, conspiracy, and treason.
