Duop Lam accuses SSPDF of uncoordinated deployment in Nasir trial defence

The fourth accused in the Nasir Incident Trial, Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, has continued presenting his defence, accusing the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) of carrying out an uncoordinated deployment to Bo Bridge that later led to days of fighting.

Appearing before the Special Court on Monday, Duop Lam said SSPDF forces arrived at Bo Bridge in Western Equatoria in mid-January 2025 and ordered SPLA-IO forces to leave the area within 12 hours.

He told the court that the SPLA-IO commander at the site requested time to consult the group’s leadership after the SSPDF said the deployment was based on an order from the Chief of Defence Forces to remove illegal checkpoints along the Tumbura-Wau road.

Duop Lam said he was later contacted by Lieutenant General Ashab Khamis, who asked whether he was aware of the SSPDF movement. He told the court that he had no prior information about the deployment.

He said he later sought clarification from General Paul Nang, the Chief of Defence Forces, but received what he described as an aggressive response. Duop Lam said he subsequently wrote a letter outlining what he considered violations of the ceasefire at Bo Bridge.

According to Duop Lam, additional SSPDF forces were later deployed to the area with instructions to “deal with anyone” found along the Yambio-Wau road.

He told the court that SPLA-IO forces withdrew from Bo Bridge to avoid bloodshed but were attacked the following day after taking up a new position. He said the fighting continued for about a week, resulting in significant losses of personnel and military equipment on both sides.

Duop Lam further said the clashes later spread along the Yambio-Wau road before UNMISS and CTSAMVM intervened and called for the reopening of the route.

He accused General Paul Nang of undermining the peace agreement through what he described as proxy operations and counter-insurgency activities. He also alleged that SSPDF troop movements involving large numbers of soldiers and heavy weapons took place without coordination through established security mechanisms.

The accused further claimed that the deployment of around 2,000 SSPDF troops, supported by artillery and aerial bombardments, led to attacks on civilian areas along the Sobat River.

Addressing the charges against him, Duop Lam denied allegations that he failed to prevent the SPLA-IO attack on the SSPDF position in Nasir, saying the SPLA-IO command neither planned, authorized nor ordered the assault.

He told the court that the document had already been shared with the Troika and that he did not consider the ambassador an unauthorized recipient.

The court adjourned proceedings while Duop Lam was explaining the legal basis of his response to the charge. The trial will resume on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.