Gatwech Lam Puoch, a lawmaker and one of the defendants in the trial involving suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, on Friday accused several senior government officials of exacerbating tensions surrounding the March violence in Nasir County through inflammatory public statements made before any formal investigation was completed.
Lam, who represents Nasir County in Upper Nile State in the National Legislative Assembly on an SPLM-IO ticket, made the remarks while presenting his defence during the 87th session of the trial at Freedom Hall in Juba.
South Sudan’s parliament voted on Aug. 26, 2025, to lift Lam’s parliamentary immunity to allow him to face prosecution. He was arrested by National Security Service (NSS) agents at his home in Juba on March 12.
In his testimony, Lam named several senior officials whom he alleged contributed to tensions after the Nasir incident, including Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, Vice President Taban Deng Gai, Justice Minister Michael Makuei Lueth, Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, Defence Minister Gen. Chol Thon Balok, former Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Paul Nang Majok, Assistant Chief of Mobilization and Disarmament Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony, Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny and Public Service Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth.
The 67-year-old legislator said public accusations and political rhetoric by senior officials intensified ethnic and political divisions at a sensitive time.
“The political environment surrounding the Nasir incident was further aggravated by ethnic and political sentiments, inflammatory rhetoric, counter-insurgency narratives, hate speech and public accusations made by senior government officials before any formal investigation was conducted,” Lam told the court.
His remarks came in response to evidence presented earlier by South African digital forensics expert Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi, who alleged that Lam shared sensitive military information with individuals linked to the White Army militia.
According to Rafadi, WhatsApp messages extracted from Lam’s phone showed that he relayed information about the movements and operations of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) to actors aligned with the opposition SPLM-IO.
Rafadi also alleged that Lam was connected to a press conference whose remarks contributed to tensions surrounding the Nasir incident.
Lam rejected the allegations, arguing that his actions were consistent with his constitutional duties as an elected representative seeking to address security concerns and rising tensions in Nasir and neighbouring Ulang County.
“This responsibility is not a personal privilege but a constitutional duty. It allows me to express opinions, offer constructive criticism and provide guidance on matters of public interest affecting the people I represent and the country at large because I am a national member of parliament,” he said.
“It is in discharge of this constitutional obligation that my colleagues and I addressed issues surrounding tensions in Nasir and Ulang counties.”
Lam said the press conference was intended to urge the country’s leadership to allow lawmakers from the affected areas to engage with their constituents, counter rumours surrounding an alleged disarmament exercise and help de-escalate tensions.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng adjourned the proceedings until Monday, June 15, when Lam is expected to continue presenting his defence.
Lam is one of eight defendants facing charges including treason, crimes against humanity, murder, terrorism and destruction of property in connection with the March 2025 attack on an SSPDF base in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
The co-defendants are suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
Machar remains under house arrest, while the other accused are being held by the NSS.
Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces allied with the White Army militia killed 257 SSPDF soldiers, including commander David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth about $58 million during the attack.
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