The Special Court in Juba has heard that the army suffered significant losses in the attack on its garrison in Nasir County in March, with 257 soldiers killed and military equipment worth over $58.7 million destroyed.
The testimony came during the high-profile trial of the suspended First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, 73, and seven co-defendants, who face charges including murder, treason and crimes against humanity.
The charges relate to an assault on the Nasir garrison in March 2025, which was allegedly carried out by the White Army militia and forces loyal to Dr Machar’s SPLA-IO opposition group.
Detailed account of losses
Major Peter Malual Deng, an officer with the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), appeared as a witness for the prosecution at the 25th session of the Special Court on Wednesday.
Under questioning from prosecution team member Advocate Martha Jobet Jeremiah, Maj Deng provided a detailed inventory of the losses. He told the court that 257 soldiers were killed and 16 others were injured and received treatment at the military hospital. Among the dead was Major General David Majur Dak, a senior army commander in Nasir.
The military equipment lost was extensive, according to the prosecution witness. Maj Deng listed items including five hundred and fifty-seven AK-47 rifles valued at $805,000, and ten RPG7 launchers worth $35,000. He also detailed the loss of nine 12.7mm heavy machine guns with a total value of $126,000, and seven mounted Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) worth $49,000.
The inventory further included heavier artillery such as eight 60.75mm mortars costing $67,000, two BM-7mm weapons priced at $450,000, and three 14.5mm heavy guns valued at $135,000.
Other significant losses listed by Maj. Deng were three Ahon/mortar units valued at $675,000, one Ahon-82mm worth $120,000, and several smaller weapons systems. The court also heard of the loss of four mounted Land Cruisers valued at $280,000, five trucks costing $15,000, two large generators priced at $50,000, and a long-range radio valued at $40,000. The total value of the lost equipment was stated to be over $58.7 million.
Allegations of a coordinated plot
The court heard that the SSPDF had informed the SPLA-IO leadership about a planned rotation of SSPDF forces at the Nasir garrison, also known as Wec-Yar-Adiu, and had requested safe passage.
However, Maj Deng alleged that this information was used to plan the attack on the army garrison. He accused three high-ranking opposition military officials of mobilising the White Army and orchestrating the assault.
The named individuals were Lt. Gen. Gabriel Lam Duop, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, who Maj Deng said was the first to reject the order for the troop relief; Lt. Gen. Yiey Dak, Deputy Director General for Operations of the National Security Service; and Gen. Dhiling Keak, the SPLA-IO Chief of Military Intelligence.
“They did not inform the military headquarters and the government about the planned attack and they also failed to report the rebellious activities of the White Army,” Maj Deng told the court.
Failed rescue attempt
The court also heard details of the failed rescue mission that led to the killing of Gen. David Majur Dak. Maj. Deng testified that the evacuation plane sent by the UN to airlift the general in Nasir came under fire.
Photographs presented as evidence showed the damaged aircraft, including bullet holes in its navigation system. Other images depicted the body of Maj. Gen. David Majur and showed rescue soldiers who had been injured in the attempt to reach him.
Maj. Deng stated that six SSPDF soldiers involved in the rescue were wounded. He further reported that a Ukrainian flight attendant on the plane was killed, and that both the pilot and the navigator sustained injuries.
Video evidence presented
The prosecution presented video and photographic evidence to the court. One clip, dated 7 March 2025, reportedly showed six injured SSPDF soldiers who were captured and then killed by the White Army.
Another showed White Army members celebrating their takeover of the army garrison from a Land Cruiser. Further footage and photographs from 20 April 2025 depicted SSPDF personnel recovering the bodies of their comrades and burying them in a mass grave after the garrison was recaptured.
Maj Deng stated that the military’s investigation into the attack was thorough, drawing on military intelligence, reports from a joint border monitoring mechanism, and accounts from survivors and eyewitnesses.
Investigation committee findings
Maj. Deng told the special court that the investigation committee formed by the army reported that the attack on the Nasir garrison was a premeditated operation planned by the opposition.
He also referenced what he described as “negative propaganda” spread by MP Gatwech Lam Puoch, who in a video alleged the forces scheduled for replacement were untrained militia.
In his testimony, Maj. Deng specifically implicated the overall commander of the opposition forces, Dr. Riek Machar. He alleged that Dr. Machar failed in his command responsibility by not protecting prisoners and by mishandling his chain of command.
The committee, Maj. Deng said, concluded that the killing of Commander David Majur and the capture of other prisoners were carried out by the White Army and SPLA-IO forces.
The prosecution witness asserted that Dr. Machar neither condemned the killings nor established a committee to hold the perpetrators accountable, which he stated was a violation of international agreements.
The witness detailed that the committee’s findings were based on field operations reports, military intelligence, a report from the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JMVM), and testimonies from individuals present during the incident.
The court has adjourned and will reconvene on Friday, 28 November 2025, when the defence is expected to cross-examine Maj. Deng.
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.