A South Sudanese military investigator testified on Monday that White Army militia leader Kang Makana was responsible for the killing of the army commander in Nasir in March, according to court proceedings.
The testimony was presented at the Special Court in Juba, which is trying suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused on charges related to the violence in Nasir County. Machar and the others have denied the charges.
Machar, 73, and his co-accused are charged with murder, treason, and crimes against humanity before a special court led by a panel of three judges.
The charges stem from a March 2025 assault on the Nasir garrison allegedly carried out by the White Army and Machar’s SPLA-IO forces. Prosecutors say the attack killed Gen. David Majur Dak, more than 250 soldiers, and a member of a UN helicopter crew.
Major Peter Malual Deng, an SSPDF officer and member of a joint military investigation committee, told the court at its 24th session that SSPDF commander in Nasir, Major General David Majur Dak, was killed during an attack led by Kang Makana. He identified Makana as the leader of the White Army militia and a member of Machar’s SPLA-IO.
The court heard that the late Gen. Majur was killed alongside 27 of his bodyguards on March 7 during an attempted evacuation by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
“We discovered that the late David Majur Dak was killed by Kang Makana. Kang Makana is the leader of the White Army who took over control after Col. Tor Gile Thoan was killed in the first attack,” Malual said under oath.
“The killing of Major General David Majur was by Kang,” Maj. Malual was quoted as saying.
The prosecution presented videos and photographs as evidence, which Maj. Malual walked the court through. One video showed a man identified as Kang Makana in a car stating he was on his way to launch an offensive against Majur’s forces.
Another video showed the body of an SSPDF soldier being dragged and thrown into a river by men alleged to be White Army members.
Footage was also shown of what was said to be the evacuation of 550 SSPDF soldiers by a UNMISS helicopter under heavy gunfire. The prosecution presented photos of a damaged UN helicopter and the body of Gen. Majur.
Evacuation Assurances
Malual testified that before the UNMISS evacuation attempt, a high-level meeting was held in Juba involving U.N. officials, foreign diplomats, and South Sudanese presidency members, including Machar, to de-escalate the situation in Nasir.
He said Machar assured the U.N. of the safety of its personnel and aircraft and promised that his forces would not obstruct the evacuation mission.
“[Machar] said the White Army and SPLA-IO would not restrict or attack the UN plane or block the evacuation mission and told the UN to go ahead,” Malual told the court.
However, Malual stated that these assurances were not followed on the ground. He said the UN nearly called off the evacuation due to shooting and that forces in the area refused to withdraw 300-500 meters as demanded by the U.N., leading to the violent disruption of the operation.
Battlefield Claims
The court session, which lasted nearly five hours, featured translations of videos allegedly filmed by militia fighters. In one clip, a commander identified as the late Col. Tor Gile Thoan was heard rallying combatants to attack Nasir and accusing President Salva Kiir’s government of violating the 2018 peace deal.
Prosecutors argued the videos showed political justification and premeditation behind the attacks.
Another set of videos included statements of solidarity with an accused officer and documented logistical preparations for the assault.
Malual also alleged that six high-ranking SPLA-IO officers visited the Nasir garrison after it was captured by the White Army on March 4.
During cross-examination, led by prosecution team member Martha Jobet Jeremiah, the defense began to challenge the evidence presented.
Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng adjourned the hearing until Wednesday, Nov. 26, when the witness is expected to conclude his testimony and face further cross-examination from the defense.
The defendants are Dr. Riek Machar, Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.