JUBA – A co-accused of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar has denied reports that he referred to the Agwelek and Abushok forces as “militias,” saying his remarks were misinterpreted.
Testifying during the 48th session of the Special Court in Juba, Ratlhogo Peter Calvin presented video clips, audio recordings, and WhatsApp messages extracted from mobile phones belonging to lawmaker Gatwech Lam Puoch, the third accused.
The evidence sought to link Lam to a press conference and a series of WhatsApp communications related to the Nasir incident.
In his defense statement, Gatwech Lam Puoch, the third accused, said the allegations against him are unsupported by evidence.
“Among the allegations labeled against me is the prosecution claim that I described Agwelek and Abushok forces as militia and asserted that their mission to Nasir was to disarm the local population,” Lam said.
Lam said he did not refer to the Agwelek and Abushok as militias but rather described them as forces that have yet to be integrated into the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
“This allegation is entirely unfounded and without factual basis. I never use the term militia at any point,” he said.
“I rather referred to them as forces not integrated into the SSPDF and stated that they were not part of the Necessary Unified Force (NUF) as provided for under provision article 2.3.4 of R-ARCSS.”
Lam claimed that the term “militia” was used by Gen. James Koang Chol and Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo while addressing their forces in Malakal on February 15, 2025.
“The Agwelek forces were not integrated into the SSPDF. This fact was expressly confirmed by Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo himself in Malakal when addressing his forces, saying that he was here on a short visit and promised that when he returned, he would work on their integration,” he said.
He said Prosecution Exhibit 8G, a Republic Decree issued on 3 April 2024, lists 12 senior officers from the Kitwang faction of the SPLM-IO.
“Further demonstrate that Agwelek forces had not been integrated. This fact was likewise acknowledged by Major Peter Malual Deng during cross-examination,” he said.
“On 11 May 2026, the current chief of defense forces, Gen. Santino Deng Wol, confirmed that Agwelek forces were not integrated into the SSPDF and directed their members to report to training centers in order to complete the integration process,” he said.
Lam said he could not describe the Agwelek and Abushok forces as militias, noting that their composition includes personnel and servicemen drawn from different military formations.
“As a member of parliament, I am fully conscious of the importance of carefully selecting my words and expression I use when addressing the public.”
He also rejected WhatsApp messages presented by the prosecution, describing them as fabricated and unfounded.
He questioned the credibility of the digital evidence, stating that investigators failed to verify the phone number allegedly linked to him and identify the WhatsApp groups involved.
He further argued that there was no clear basis for connecting him to messages circulating in groups that did not include any of his known contacts.
The court adjourned the session to June 26, 2026, when Lam is expected to continue giving his defense statement.
The trial, which has drawn significant national attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused, is being presided over by Judge James Alala Deng, alongside Justices Stephen Simon and Isaac Pur Majok.
The prosecution team comprises 13 lawyers drawn from the Ministry of Justice and other legal institutions, including Counsel General Deng Achuil Adija, Dr. Sabri Wani Lado, Serafino Simon Mizan, and Filberto Mayuot Mareng.
On the defense side, six lawyers are representing the accused, including Dr. Geri Raymond Legge, Kur Lual Kur, and Anis Tombe Augustino.
Investigations into the case are being led by Major General Basile Thomas Wani, assisted by Brigadier General John Dak, while Captain Richard Gachi Apollo of the Internal Security Service is listed as the complainant.
Those standing trial alongside Machar include Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
As proceedings continue, the court is expected to further examine the credibility and implications of digital forensic evidence in establishing alleged links between political figures and armed groups.
