The second accused in the high-profile treason trial linked to suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has told the court that the White Army is an independent community-based militia and is not affiliated with any political party, including the SPLM-IO.
Mam Pal Dhuor made the assertion on Friday during the 87th session of the trial at Freedom Hall, pushing back against prosecution claims that the White Army was mobilised and influenced by Machar’s SPLM-IO during the March 2025 attack on an army garrison in Nasir County.
Testifying before the three-judge panel, Mam Pal Dhuor described the White Army — composed mainly of armed Nuer youth — as a self-organised group that defends local community interests rather than operating under any political command.
“No one is responsible for them, and they do whatever they want without being ordered by any person to do so,” he told the court.
When asked by Presiding Judge James Alala Deng whether the term “armed youth” in his earlier statement referred to the White Army, Mam clarified that it applied to any armed individual living in his home area.
He also strongly denied prosecution allegations that he provided financial support to the armed youth, dismissing the digital forensic evidence presented by a South African expert as untrue and unrelated to the Nasir incident.
“The documents presented in court have no connection to the Nasir incident,” he said. “I have never supported the armed youth.”
Mam further told the court he had no knowledge of the source of the WhatsApp messages, videos, and photographs extracted from his phone, pointing out contradictions in the expert’s reports.
The court adjourned proceedings until Monday, June 15, when the third accused, Gatwech Lam Puoch, is expected to continue presenting his defence.
Mam Pal Dhuor is one of eight defendants facing grave charges including treason, crimes against humanity, murder, terrorism, and destruction of property over the March 3-4, 2025 attack on an SSPDF base in Nasir County.
The other accused include suspended First Vice President Riek Machar (under house arrest), Puot Kang Chuol, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
The rest are detained by the National Security Service.Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces, allied with the White Army, killed 257 government soldiers, including commander David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth approximately $58 million. All defendants have denied the charges.
