Survivors of the attack on the military garrison in Nasir testified Friday about the alleged killing of their colleagues by White Army fighters and SPLA-IO forces in March this year.
The witnesses appeared before the special court at Freedom Hall in Juba during its 33rd session. They recounted how fighters from the militia known as the White Army and from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition overran the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) garrison in March.
The cross-examination of a prosecution witness was led by defense attorney Regina Akeriaw Deng, who represents suspended First Vice President Riek Machar.
First Lt. Mohamed Ahmed Jidu, the fourth prosecution witness and a survivor, testified that 27 soldiers were killed and six were evacuated by a U.N. helicopter on March 7. He said one soldier died aboard the aircraft.
Ahmed said seven soldiers were with Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak in military armored personnel carriers (APCs), while the rest were in three other APCs at the garrison.
Under questioning, Ahmed stated that 33 soldiers were waiting to board the U.N. helicopter for evacuation when they came under fire. He said six were able to board while the others were killed.
Under questioning from defense lawyers, Jidu said he was informed an evaluation of the incident would be conducted by Machar, based on military briefings. He denied having audio evidence of conversations between Machar and local officials in Nasir.
“I don’t have an audio,” Jidu told the court. “I got the information through military sources and family members.”
Judge James Alala later questioned Jidu about alleged planning meetings between SPLA-IO commanders and White Army fighters. Jidu denied attending any such meetings, saying, “I got the information from military intelligence.”
Sgt. Maj. Ater Bol Piol, the fifth prosecution witness and also a survivor, stated the garrison was attacked at 7 a.m. on March 3 by SPLA-IO and White Army forces led by Col. Tor Gile Thoan.
“We fought and repelled them and killed Tor Gile Thoan, who led the attack as leader of the White Army,” Piol said.
Piol recounted how the main assault on the Nasir garrison began at 7 a.m. on March 3, led by SPLA-IO and White Army forces. He described communication breakdowns and desperate escape attempts through bushland and across rivers, where many soldiers were ambushed.
“We tried to cross a river, but some could not swim,” Piol said. “In the morning, we were ambushed. They killed everyone and left me alone.”
He testified that his life was spared when one of the White Army fighters recognized him as having previously treated the fighter’s child.
Piol testified that 10 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces soldiers, including a captain identified as Malong, were killed while trying to board a U.N. helicopter on March 6.
The court adjourned until Monday, Dec. 22, when defense lawyers are expected to cross-examine the fifth prosecution witness.
Machar, 73, and seven aassociates face charges including murder, treason and crimes against humanity. The charges stem from a March 2025 attack by the White Army militia allegedly linked to Machar.
Prosecutors say the attack resulted in the deaths of army commander David Majur Dak, more than 250 soldiers and a member of a U.N. mission helicopter crew, and the destruction or seizure of military equipment valued at an estimated $58 million.
Also named in the case are Puot Kang Chol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.