A South African digital forensic investigator on Wednesday submitted photographic and video exhibits in the trial of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused, as proceedings entered a critical evidentiary phase.
Ratlhogo Peter Calvin tendered a series of images and video clips during the 47th session of the special court, which prosecutors say are linked to the alleged planning and coordination of the military garrison incident in Nasir.
The report displayed in court included WhatsApp and text message exchanges, as well as photographs and videos related to the Nasir events. The data was obtained from a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone belonging to the first accused, Puot Kang Chol, the suspended minister of petroleum.
Peter said the evidence included a letter allegedly written by Machar on March 1, 2025, forming a 10-member committee comprising five members from Nasir and five from Ulang to receive and facilitate the movement of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) from Malakal to Nasir.
“The barges have moved toward Nasir town now,” read one message presented to the court on Wednesday.
Peter told the court that Mam Pal Dhuor, the second accused, shared a list of wounded persons with Puot Kang Chol. Another WhatsApp message attributed to Dukhan Jundit stated: “the buffalo has been killed and Viva to us.”
The 47-year-old forensic investigator said Mam Pal Dhuor also shared a list of 38 White Army and SPLA-IO members allegedly killed, including White Army leader Colonel Tor Gille Thoan, during the March 3, 2025 attack on the Nasir military garrison.
Peter presented various videos, audio recordings and photographs as evidence for the prosecution. These included an audio recording of Puot Kang Chol during an interview with UN-owned Radio Miraya, in which he discussed the extension of elections and President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s alleged violation of the 2018 peace deal.
A four-minute video shown in court featured Ter Chuol Gatkuoth, described as a White Army leader in Nasir, inquiring about money to be sent to them. Another video displayed Colonel Tor Gille Thoan addressing White Army and SPLA-IO members a day before the attack on the Nasir garrison.
The court also viewed a video featuring a White Army commander speaking in the Nuer language, containing a direct message to Machar in his capacity as chairman and commander-in-chief of the SPLM/A-IO.
In addition, judges reviewed letters written by Machar during his time as first vice president, addressed to regional leaders concerning political and security situations in Upper Nile and Western Equatoria states. Communication logs exchanged between Puot Kang Chol and White Army leaders were also submitted as evidence.
After nearly three hours, presiding judge James Alala adjourned the session. The trial is scheduled to resume on Friday, February 6, 2026, when the foreign expert is expected to complete testimony on specific findings.
Machar and his co-accused 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 commander David Majur Dak — and destroyed or seized military equipment valued at about $58 million during the March 2025 attack on the Nasir garrison.