Politics

INVESTIGATOR TESTIFIES IN ONGOING COURT CASE

Juba South Sudan: The Special Court hearing the high-profile case of Puot Kang and Others, including suspended FVP Riek Machar, continued its session in Juba under the presiding Judge James Alala Deng.

The hearing focused on the re-examination of the chief investigator by the prosecution team led by advocate Ajo Ony’Ohisa Igele. The session revisited key issues such as the applicability of the Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS) to the accused, the establishment of the Special Court, and the handling of forensic evidence related to the Nasir incident.

The investigator told the court that the R-ARCSS does not provide immunity or protection for crimes committed and that the peace agreement does not remove the duty of national institutions, such as the police and judiciary, to uphold the rule of law and deliver justice.

He confirmed that the establishment of the Special Court was authorized through official correspondence between the Minister of Justice, the Office of the President, and the Chief Justice. He described this authorization as administrative in nature.

The investigator also explained that the case is being heard in Juba because the accused were arrested there, and most survivors and officials involved had relocated to the capital after the capture of Nasir. He added that the case was officially opened in Juba with authorization from the National Security Service.

On the question of forensic evidence, the investigator testified that the forensic devices were taken to South Africa for analysis and that an ambassador from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs personally traveled to oversee and return the materials to Juba.

He further explained that no sketch map of the Nasir crime scene was produced because the area was under SPLA-IO control and remained inaccessible after the attack.

The investigator confirmed that Prosecution Document No. 8A was a letter written by Riek Machar, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the SPLA-IO, addressed to the Commissioners of Ulang and Nasir Counties. The letter instructed the formation of two teams made up of chiefs, White Army leaders, and SPLA-IO officers to “safeguard” the movement of SSPDF barges to the Wie-Yar-Adiu garrison.

He noted that the letter was dated 1 March 2025, while the attack on the Nasir garrison took place two days later, on 3 March 2025, led by Colonel Tor Gile, an SPLA-IO officer.

After the day’s proceedings, the court adjourned to Wednesday, when the panel of judges is expected to ask their own questions as the hearing continues.