Suspended Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chol has alleged that the National Security Service (NSS) pressured him in detention to abandon First Vice President Riek Machar and pledge loyalty to President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
In a statement during the special court’s 81st session at Freedom Hall on Monday, Puot said officers from the National Security Service were sent to him in detention and pressured him to publicly denounce Machar and align with Kiir’s administration.
He further alleged that former Vice President for the Economic Cluster Benjamin Bol Mel attempted to persuade him to replace Machar as First Vice President ahead of elections.
“After the function [following Bol Mel’s appointment], we went to his (Bol Mel’s) house, where he told me that President Salva Kiir Mayardit was not happy with Dr. Riek Machar. On that note, he asked me if I could speak to Dr. Riek Machar to wait for the elections while I take over from him,” Kang said.
Puot said he rejected the proposal, adding that he would not abandon his political position or denounce Machar.
“My response was that I was not ready for that and the agreement does not allow such a programme. I also added that the choice of the SPLM/A-IO for a leader was none other than Dr. Riek Machar Teny,” he said.
The 41-year-old accused said that during an investigation on March 26, 2025, a committee asked him to work with President Kiir and distance himself from Machar.
“My response was that as a minister, I have been working with H.E. the President, but there is no way that I can forget Dr. Riek Machar because he is the chairman of my party and First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan,” he said.
Puot also alleged that he was denied medical care in detention despite suffering from ulcers and vomiting blood for several months.
“I was not even allowed to interact with fellow detainees, and even medicine was not allowed to enter where I and Brig. Gen. Camilo were held. During the period until September 2025 when we came before this court, I used to vomit blood for seven months because of an ulcer,” he said.
He said that on April 12, 2025, an NSS officer visited him at around 8 p.m. and informed him that Stephen Par Kuol had declared himself interim chairman of the SPLM/A-IO and wanted to work with him.
“I told that gentleman to go back and tell Hon. Stephen Par Kuol or whoever sent him that I am not ready to work with him,” he said.
“He said: ‘My brother, you are a young man, why are you punishing yourself because of someone whose time is gone and will never return to politics? You better think about this because you are going to die here.’”
Puot further claimed he was being targeted by the government and had been informed of a second case against him.
“They have also added my name in another case exactly after one year in detention so that, in case I am acquitted and freed by this honourable special court, they will still keep me in their detention facility until they achieve their promise that I will die in detention,” he said.
Judge Deng adjourned the hearing until Monday, June 1, when the court is expected to continue examining Puot after he requested medical attention.
Puot is one of eight defendants facing charges including treason, crimes against humanity, murder, terrorism and destruction of property over the March 2025 attack on a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces base in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
Co-defendants include suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, 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 National Security Service.
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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