Gatwech Lam Puoch, a lawmaker and co-defendant in the Riek Machar treason trial, has sharply accused several senior government officials of inflaming ethnic and political tensions after the March violence in Nasir County through inflammatory statements made before any investigation.
Lam, who represents Nasir County in Upper Nile State on an SPLM-IO ticket, made the fiery remarks on Friday while presenting his defence at the 87th session of the trial at Freedom Hall in Juba.
He specifically named Vice President Taban Deng Gai, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, Justice Minister Michael Makuei Lueth, Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, Defence Minister Gen. Chol Thon Balok, and several other top officials.
“The political environment surrounding the Nasir incident was further aggravated by ethnic and political sentiments, inflammatory rhetoric, counter-insurgency narratives, hate speech and public accusations made by senior government officials before any formal investigation was conducted,” Lam told the court.
Lam’s parliamentary immunity was lifted in August 2025, after which he was arrested by National Security Service agents on March 12.
His testimony responded to allegations by South African digital forensics expert Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi, who claimed Lam shared sensitive SSPDF military information via WhatsApp with White Army-linked individuals and was involved in a press conference that heightened tensions.
Lam dismissed the claims, arguing he was simply discharging his constitutional duties as an MP by addressing security concerns in Nasir and Ulang counties and trying to de-escalate the situation.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng adjourned proceedings to Monday, June 15, for Lam to continue his defence.
Lam is among eight defendants, including suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, facing charges of treason, crimes against humanity, murder, terrorism, and destruction of property over the March 2025 attack on an SSPDF base in Nasir.
Prosecutors say the attack killed 257 soldiers and resulted in the loss of military equipment worth about $58 million.
