We did not form them. They are not part of us Puot Kang on White Army

Tue 2026-05-12

JUBA – Suspended South Sudan Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol has distanced the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) from the White Army militia, insisting that the armed youth group operates independently and is not under the command or structure of the opposition movement.

Speaking during the 75th court session in Juba, Kang rejected allegations presented by prosecutors and investigators that sought to link the SPLM/A-IO to the White Army fighters accused of carrying out attacks in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.

The high-profile trial stems from the March 2025 violence in Nasir that left at least 275 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers dead, including Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak.

Authorities later charged several senior SPLM/A-IO figures, including suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, with offences ranging from treason and terrorism to crimes against humanity and destruction of property.

Kang, who is listed as the first accused in the case, used his appearance before the court to strongly deny claims that the opposition movement controls the White Army.

“Your Lordship, it is equally important to mention that the SPLM/A-IO and the White Army, or armed youth, are not one organization,” Kang told the court.

He argued that attempts to associate the White Army with the SPLM/A-IO were politically motivated and inaccurate.

“We are not the ones who formed them. They are not part of us,” he said.

The prosecution had earlier accused Puot Kang of inciting the White Army through comments made during a radio interview aired by the United Nations-run Radio Miraya. During cross-examination, lead investigator Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani alleged that the suspended minister used the platform to mobilize local youth against SSPDF forces stationed in Nasir.

However, Puot Kang dismissed the accusation and instead emphasized that the SPLM/A-IO has a formal command structure that does not include the White Army.

“The SPLM/A-IO has its own command structure, and in that command structure, there is nowhere armed youth fixed,” he said.

Puot Kang further referenced the late Col. Tor Gille Thoan, a White Army commander killed during the initial attack on the Nasir military garrison on March 3, 2025. According to him, Thoan was selected by local youth in Nasir and not appointed by the SPLM/A-IO leadership.

“Tor Gille Thoan was very clear in his statement played here in court earlier, that now that you have selected Kang Makana and me to lead the armed youth,” Puot Kang said.

“This means that he was selected by youth in Nasir, and he has nothing to do with us from the SPLM-IO,” he added.

Puot Kang also reminded the court that the SPLM/A-IO was officially established on April 18, 2014, in Nasir County during its first conference, arguing that the movement has long maintained distinct political and military structures.

The hearing was presided over by Judge James Alala Deng, who adjourned proceedings to Monday, May 11, 2026, for further examination of Puot Kang.

Alongside Machar and Puot Kang, the other accused persons in the case include Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.

sudanspost.com