Former First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar on Friday detailed waves of deadly clashes between South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers and local youth in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, between 2021 and 2024, saying the violence resulted in civilian deaths, destruction of property and mass displacement.
Testifying during the 127th session of his trial, Machar, the fifth accused in the ongoing Nasir case, described a series of confrontations between government soldiers and local youth triggered by disputes over arrests, the theft of fishing nets, firewood collection and a child custody disagreement.
Arrest youth leaders
Machar said a wave of clashes occurred between February and March 2021 after SSPDF soldiers arrested two youth leaders following a confrontation between young people and government forces in Nasir town.
The arrests triggered a standoff between the police, traditional chiefs and the county commissioner on one side and the SSPDF on the other over who should take custody of the detained youths.
“The second group of clashes occurred between February and March 2021, in one of clashes between youth and SSPDF soldiers in Nasir town, the SSPDF arrested two youth leaders. This arrest created standoff between Police, chiefs and commissioner on one side and SSPDF on another over who should take over the custody of arrested youths,” Machar said.
Clashes over fishing nets
He said another wave of deadly clashes between SSPDF soldiers and armed youth occurred between February 10 and 12, 2024, and was triggered by the theft of fishing nets.
“This third group of clashes was over theft of fishing nets. The fighting went on for three-days, Feb, 10, 12, 2024. On first day, the night of Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, SSPDF attacked youth near fishing camp, near barrack, resulting into two youth killed and two wounded and one member of attacking SSPDF force was wounded,” Machar said.
Violence over firewood collection
According to Machar, another confrontation occurred the following morning near Nasir town after soldiers reportedly left their barracks to collect firewood. The incident left one youth dead, four civilians wounded and two children drowned in the river.
Machar said fighting resumed on the afternoon of February 12, leaving six soldiers dead and two others wounded.
He said the violence forced civilians to flee Nasir town and surrounding villages, while homes and other property were looted and destroyed, with some houses set on fire.
“The fighting led to displacement of civilians from Nasir town and surrounding areas. There were looting and destruction of property including torching of houses in Nasir town and villages around Nasir. Helicopter gunship was flown over Nasir as show of force,” Machar said.
He said the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) investigated the incident and issued report 2024/06, recommending the redeployment of SSPDF forces from the area and the deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF).
Machar said CTSAMVM had also observed that SSPDF soldiers lacked the necessary training to operate in accordance with the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and recognised national and international laws.
He further told the court that an investigation committee formed by the Joint Defence Board (JDB) and SSPDF recommended redeploying government forces stationed at Wec-Yar-Adiw outside Nasir and replacing them with the Necessary Unified Forces.
Incidents of violence
Machar identified another wave of violence between January 20 and August 17, 2024, involving 12 separate incidents in Nasir town and surrounding areas.
He said the clashes involved killings on both sides and shelling of civilian residential areas, including Dhour-ding, Nordeng, Koat and Ketbek, displacing approximately 40,000 people.
He said CTSAMVM again recommended accelerating the deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces to replace SSPDF troops at Wec-Yar-Adiw.
According to Machar, the ceasefire monitors also urged the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers to take timely political action.
Clashes over child custody
The fifth wave of violence, according to Machar, erupted in October 2024 following a dispute over the custody of a child fathered by an SSPDF officer identified as Lt. Col. Mark.
He said the child’s widowed mother and the officer had taken the matter to court, which ruled in favour of the officer. When the officer attempted to take custody of the child, local youth and the woman’s relatives reportedly reacted violently.
Machar said the two-day fighting, which took place on October 16 and 17, left 13 SSPDF soldiers dead and six wounded. Five civilians, including a woman, three men and an infant, were also killed, while 14 others were wounded.
The court adjourned the session until Wednesday, November 11, 2026, when Machar is expected to continue presenting his defence.
Charges and allegations
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. They also allege that military equipment worth about $58 million was destroyed or captured.
Machar is under house arrest, while the other defendants are being held at National Security Service facilities in Juba.
The co-defendants are Puot Kang Chol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
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