Chol, the first accused person, during the 81st court session, alleged that Bol Mel urged him to persuade Machar to step aside ahead of elections.
“On February 12, 2025, the day when former Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel took the oath of office, I went to his reception where he warned me by telling me to tell the elders of Nasir to stop the fighting, this statement is out there on social media, and it is important to note that there was no fighting at that particular time,” Chol said.
“After the function, we went to his house, where he told me that the president was not happy with Dr Riek Machar. On that note, he asked me if I could talk to Dr Riek Machar to wait for the election while I (Puot) take over from him (Dr Riek Machar),” he added.
The Minister of Petroleum said he rejected the proposal and refused to abandon his political position or denounce Machar, leader of the SPLM/A-IO, saying the 2018 peace agreement does not permit such action.
“My response was that I was not ready for that, and the agreement does not allow such a program. I also added that the choice of the SPLM/A-IO for a leader was none other than Dr Riek Machar Teny.”
Chol further alleged that national security officers and the investigation committee later pressured him while in detention to denounce Machar and cooperate with the government.
“I was asked if I was ready to work with H.E. President and forget about Dr Riek Machar. My response was that as a minister, I have been working with H.E the President, and there is no way that I can forget Dr Riek Machar because he is the chairman of my party and the first vice president of the Republic of South Sudan,” he said.
He claimed that a National Security Service officer, who said he had been sent by the leadership, asked him whether he was willing to be released and publicly denounce Riek Machar as chairman of the SPLM/A-IO.
“I informed him that I was not ready to go out to denounce my leader. He said, “My brother, you are going to die in detention,” he said.
After a 20-minute break, Chol asked that the court allow him to seek medical attention after he reported feeling unwell during his presentation.
Presiding judge James Alala Deng adjourned the hearing until Monday, June 1, to allow Puot Kang Chol to seek medical attention.
Machar, a key opposition figure and former rebel leader, is among eight accused in the case, which has drawn significant political and public attention.
The accused include Riek Machar Teny, 73; Puot Kang Chuol, 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.
