Suspended Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chol has accused South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) of pressuring him during detention to renounce First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and declare loyalty to President Salva Kiir Mayardit.Speaking before the Special Court during its 81st session at Freedom Hall on Monday, Puot claimed security officials repeatedly urged him to distance himself from Machar while he was being held in custody.
Puot also alleged that former Vice President for the Economic Cluster, Benjamin Bol Mel, once attempted to convince him to replace Machar as First Vice President before national elections.According to Puot, the discussion took place at Bol Mel’s residence following an official function.
He said Bol Mel informed him that President Kiir was dissatisfied with Machar and proposed that Puot temporarily assume the role of First Vice President while Machar waited for elections.Puot told the court he rejected the proposal, insisting that the peace agreement did not permit such an arrangement and reaffirming that Machar remained the legitimate leader of the SPLM/A-IO.
The 41-year-old minister further testified that during an investigation session on March 26, 2025, a committee encouraged him to cooperate fully with President Kiir’s administration and sever political ties with Machar.Puot said he responded by stating that while he served the government as a minister, he could not abandon Machar, whom he described as both his party chairman and the country’s First Vice President.
He also accused authorities of denying him medical treatment during detention despite suffering from severe ulcers and allegedly vomiting blood for several months.According to his testimony, he was isolated from other detainees and denied access to medication while detained alongside Brig. Gen. Camilo. Puot claimed his condition worsened between March and September 2025 before his first court appearance.
Puot further alleged that on April 12, 2025, an NSS officer visited him at night and informed him that Stephen Par Kuol had declared himself interim chairman of the SPLM/A-IO and wished to work with him politically.He said he rejected the proposal and remained loyal to Machar.
Puot claimed the officer warned him that he risked dying in detention if he continued refusing to cooperate.In addition, Puot told the court that authorities had opened another case against him after one year in detention, alleging the move was intended to ensure he remained imprisoned even if acquitted in the current proceedings. Following his testimony and request for medical attention, Judge Deng adjourned the hearing until June 1.
Puot is among eight defendants facing charges that include treason, crimes against humanity, terrorism, murder and destruction of property linked to the March 2025 attack on a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) base in Nasir, Upper Nile State.Other accused individuals include 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 remaining accused are being detained by the National Security Service.Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces allied with the White Army militia attacked the SSPDF base, killing 257 soldiers, including commander David Majur Dak, and destroying or capturing military equipment valued at approximately $58 million.
