SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

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‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...
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Machar’s Defense Declares Juba Special Court Illegal: Court Mandate Expired, Demands His Immediate Release

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SPLA-IO Leader Dr. Riek Machar 


‎Juba, South Sudan 

The defense team representing First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon and seven other SPLM/A-IO detainees has challenged the legality and jurisdiction of the ongoing “Special Court on the Nasir Incident”, describing it as unconstitutional and time-barred.


‎Read: Rebel Forces and RSF Forces Regroup Near Sudan Border, South Sudan Officials Warn ‎

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During the ninth session of the proceedings held on Monday at Freedom Hall in Juba, the defense submitted a formal motion questioning the temporal jurisdiction of the court, arguing that its legal mandate had already expired.

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‎Defense Argues Court’s Mandate Expired:

‎According to the defense, the ministerial order establishing the Special Court was issued on September 1, 2025, granting it authority to operate from September 8 to October 8 a period of only one month.

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Read: ‎South Sudan Court of Appeal Orders Retrial for Four Kenyans Serving 72-Year Sentences ‎


‎“Upon the expiration of this timeframe, the court became jurisdictionally incompetent and unlawful,” the defense argued, calling for the immediate release of all SPLM/A-IO detainees, including Dr. Machar.

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‎Despite the objection, the Special Court reportedly offered no immediate comment on the motion. The session was later adjourned to Wednesday, October 15, to allow time for the SPLM-in-Government (SPLM-IG) to seek an extension of the court’s mandate.

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‎SPLM-IO Denounces “Political Witch-Hunt”

‎In a statement signed by Cde. Puok Both Baluang, the SPLM/A-IO criticized the proceedings as a “sham trial” aimed at undermining the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

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Read: Civilians Flee Lakama’di as SSPDF Pursues NAS and SPLA-IO Rebel Group in Mundri East ‎


‎“The so-called Special Court is a mechanism created to abrogate the peace agreement and conduct a political witch-hunt against Dr. Riek Machar and the SPLM/A-IO,” the statement read.

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‎The SPLM/A-IO reaffirmed its rejection of the court’s legitimacy and reiterated its demand for the unconditional release of Dr. Machar and all detained opposition officials.

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‎Background:

‎The Special Court on the Nasir Incident was formed to investigate alleged crimes linked to the 2013 conflict in Nasir. 

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Read: Video Clip: SSPDF Commander Col. Duoth in Nasir Dismisses Death Rumors, Says He Is ‘Alive and Well’


SPLM-IO leaders have consistently dismissed the process as politically motivated, citing violations of the peace deal and lack of judicial independence.

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‎Next Hearing: 

‎The court will reconvene on October 15, 2025, amid mounting political tension between the SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO factions over the trial’s legality and its implications for national peace implementation.

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