JUBA – The acting chief of staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and a co-accused of suspended First Vice President Dr Riek Machar told the Special Court in Juba on Monday that Machar never issued an operational order directing SPLA-IO forces to attack the Nasir military garrison in Upper Nile State.
Lt Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, who served as deputy chief of defence forces, told the court that he never received any military directive from Dr Riek Machar, the SPLA-IO commander-in-chief, instructing him or SPLA-IO forces to launch an attack against government forces in Nasir.
“In a military system, the orders are top-down. I did not receive any operation order from SPLA-IO Commander-in-Chief to attack SSPDF in Nasir,” Duop said in his concluding defence statement during the 103rd court session in Juba on Monday.
Duop also denied coordinating or communicating with Maj. Gen. Dhiling Keak or other SPLA-IO officials in Nasir, as alleged by the prosecution.
“I did not discuss any funding issues with the 1st, 2nd and 5th accused persons to support local youth mobilisation in Nasir County,” he said.
Duop argued that the police investigator, the complainant from the National Security Service (NSS), the SSPDF report presented by Maj. Peter Malual Deng, and the South African digital forensic expert all failed to produce credible documentary or forensic evidence to support the charges against him.
He said the prosecution failed to present key evidence, including an attack order, voice recordings, images, or video clips, to substantiate its allegations against him and his co-accused.
“In the military, no commander declares war against forces while being guarded by the units of the same forces. The government prosecution team and their witnesses are fishing in dirty water and boxing in the dark,” he said.
He said all the charges brought against him and his colleagues are baseless, full of conspiracy theories, politically motivated and character assassinations.
”I, therefore, reject all those fabricated charges, as they are not representing my action, national character, patriotism, discipline, ethical conduct and military professionalism.”
”The SPLA-IO leadership and I personally made every effort to prevent any fighting between the SSPDF and local youths; however, our peace partner was adamant in pursuing a military solution.”
The court adjourned the session to August 5, 2026, when Lam is expected to be examined by judges.
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 defence 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.
