A fourth co-accused in the trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar urged the special court on Monday to remain independent and resist what he described as political pressure and intimidation when delivering its verdict.
Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, deputy chief of defence forces and acting chief of staff of the opposition SPLA-IO, made the appeal during the closing of his defence case at the trial’s 103rd session, held at Freedom Hall in Juba.
“I hope and believe that this special court will stand firm against all forms of political intimidation, political blackmail and political manoeuvring, and will deliver a transparent, credible and fair judgment without fear or favour,” Lam told the court.
Lam, 54, also asked the court to restore his rights and order his release, saying he and his co-accused had been arbitrarily arrested.
“I respectfully pray that this honourable court restores my rights and orders my release so that I may rejoin my family, who have endured severe economic hardship during my detention,” he said.
He said his children had been unable to attend school or receive adequate medical care during his one year and four months in detention.
“As your lordship is aware, our country continues to experience a worsening economic crisis. My children have now spent one year and four months without access to proper schooling and adequate medical care. I therefore humbly pray that justice be done now,” he said.
Lam argued that prosecutors had failed to present sufficient evidence linking him to the offences, saying witness testimony and digital forensic evidence did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that he had committed the alleged crimes.
“In the military system, orders flow from the top down. I did not receive any operational order from the SPLA-IO commander-in-chief to attack SSPDF forces in Nasir. I did not coordinate or communicate with Maj. Gen. Dhiling Keak or the SPLA-IO officials in Nasir as alleged by the prosecutors,” he said.
He also denied discussing financial support with the first, second and fifth accused to mobilise local youth in Nasir County.
“The police investigator, the National Security Service complainant, the SSPDF report by Major Malual and the South African digital forensic expert all failed to produce documentary or forensic evidence, especially attack orders, voice recordings, images or video clips, to support their claims against me,” Lam said.
He described the prosecution’s case as “baseless” and based on conspiracy theories.
“In the military, no commander declares war against forces while being guarded by units of those same forces. The prosecution team and its witnesses are fishing in dirty water and boxing in the dark,” he said.
The court adjourned proceedings until Wednesday, Aug. 5, when it is expected to continue examining Lam’s defence.
Machar and his co-defendants — Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek and Dominic Gatgok Riek — 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 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers, including commander Gen. David Majur Dak, during an attack on the Nasir military garrison in March 2025. They also allege that military equipment worth about $58 million was destroyed or seized.
All of the defendants have denied the charges.
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