Suspended Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol has alleged that National Security Service (NSS) officers pressured him while in detention to abandon First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and pledge loyalty to President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
Testifying during the special court’s 81st session at Freedom Hall on Monday, Kang said senior officials attempted to persuade him to replace Machar as First Vice President ahead of elections.
“After the function [following Bol Mel’s appointment], we went to his (Bol Mel’s) house, where he told me that President Salva Kiir Mayardit was not happy with Dr. Riek Machar. On that note, he asked me if I could speak to Dr. Riek Machar to wait for the elections while I take over from him,” Kang told the court.
He said he rejected the proposal outright.
“My response was that I was not ready for that and the agreement does not allow such a programme. I also added that the choice of the SPLM/A-IO for a leader was none other than Dr. Riek Machar Teny,” he stated.
Kang further claimed that during an investigation on March 26, 2025, a committee asked him to distance himself from Machar and work with President Kiir.
He said he refused, insisting that Machar remains the chairman of his party and First Vice President.
The 41-year-old minister also accused authorities of denying him medical care despite suffering from ulcers and vomiting blood for several months.
He claimed he was isolated from other detainees and barred from receiving medicine.
Additionally, Kang alleged that on April 12, 2025, an NSS officer visited him and urged him to align with Stephen Par Kuol, who had declared himself interim SPLM/A-IO chairman.
He said the officer warned him that he would “die in detention” if he continued supporting Machar.
He claimed a second case had been filed against him to ensure he remains in custody even if acquitted by the current court.
Judge James Alala Deng adjourned the hearing to Monday, June 1, after Kang requested medical attention.
Puot Kang is one of eight defendants facing charges of treason, crimes against humanity, murder, terrorism, and destruction of property over the March 2025 attack on an SSPDF base in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
His co-defendants include suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
Machar remains under house arrest, while the others are detained by the NSS.
Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces, allied with the White Army militia, killed 257 SSPDF soldiers, including Gen. David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth about $58 million.
