Suspended Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chuol told the Special Court on Wednesday that his communications with armed youth in Nasir County in March 2025 were aimed at de-escalating tensions and preventing bloodshed, not inciting violence.

Kang, the first accused in the high-profile trial, made the remarks while presenting his defence during the court’s 83rd session.

He was responding to questions from the three-judge panel about his role in the events leading to the attack on an SSPDF garrison in Nasir County.

“I asked Kang Makana [current White Army leader] not to attack the SSPDF garrison and that the matter shall be resolved as per the presidency’s resolution,” Kang told the court.

He added that Kang Makana informed him that youth from his section had already left Nasir and that he might not be able to control youth from other sections, especially following the killing of former White Army leader Tor Gille Thoan that morning.

The suspended minister said he reached out to several local leaders, including then Nasir County Commissioner James Gatluak Lew, paramount chiefs, and youth leaders, urging them to stop the fighting.

“I informed the investigation committee about my communication with Kang Makana and also informed them that I was using my Zain line and, if they wanted, they could obtain the audio records from the Zain company,” he said.

Kang further testified that he instructed the paramount chief and county commissioner to tell the youth there would be no fighting.

He acknowledged their concerns that the youth might not listen but insisted they engage them directly.

“During these conversations, we were persuading them; we were not ordering them because they are not under our command,” Kang emphasised.

When questioned by Justice Stephen Simon Binjigwa why he referred to the group as “armed youth” instead of the “White Army” — the term used by prosecutors — Kang explained: “I am referring to them as armed youth because these are youth who armed themselves, not anybody like it is in other parts of South Sudan. You can take the example of youth that fought SSPDF in Warrap.”

Presiding Judge James Alala Deng adjourned the proceedings until June 5, when the court is expected to hear from the second accused, Mam Pal Dhuor.