September 28, 2025 – The renowned Gawaar-Nuer prophet, Makuach Tut Khor, who threatened to capture Upper Nile State capital, Malakal, just three weeks ago, has began to withdraw forces from the frontline in preparation for the release of Dr. Riek Machar Teny, 7 other politicians and 5 bodyguards who remain behind bars pending the Special Court judges decision that shall be announced tomorrow.
Speaking to South Sudan News Now(SSNN), Prophet Makuach Tut Khor said he had to reciprocate the good-will gesture of the president of South Sudan and the Judiciary for listening to his voice and voices of millions others including the International Community who demand for unconditional release of Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chuol and many others who were unlawfully detained for almost 7 months.
“Mi ba Gatmachar kɛnɛ ji kɔarɛ luony cetkɛ mɔ ba kɛ luony ii runɔ, de rikdan kulɛ ŋu kɛ kumɛ ɛɛ nyɔk mi luɔtkɛn ni mal ɛɛ puc” (if they will release Dr. Riek Machar Teny and his subordinates, just like they will release them tomorrow, then what else would we fight the government for if they really mean peace?)
TThe prophet acknowledges and appreciates presidents Salva Kiir for releasing 74 bodyguards of Dr. Riek Machar Teny unconditionally and calls on the Special Court to do the same thing tomorrow, Monday, September 29th, so that the principals can embark on the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement to ensure peace and stability returns to the country as soon as possible.
“Canɛ jɛ ŋac ɛn hoo ca damanikɔn te ca yien kɛl kɛ kuaran ni Gatmachar luony”(we have confirmed that our brothers who were arrested together with our leader and elder Dr. Riek Machar Teny have been released, that is all we called for)
Three weeks ago, Prophet Makuach Tut demanded the release of Dr. Riek Machar Teny and Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam saying those are the only leaders who can stop him from advancing towards Malakal and in just a few days, the government charged Dr. Riek Machar Teny and brought him to a Special Court.
So far, the court has moved relatively quick with Machar’s defense team holding an upper hand against the government lawyers who seems to lack reasonable ground to prosecute Dr. Riek Machar and his colleagues over a mere violation of the Revitalized Agreement of the Resolutions of the Conflict in South Sudan(R-ARCISS) that should be referred to CTSAMM and RJMEC for further scrutiny.
Speaking to his followers and elderly members of Gawaar community, whom he went to rescue from government forces in Diel and its surrounding areas where they were scattered and confined, prophet Makuach Tut assured them that peace is better than war and if the government in Juba choose peace over war, then they should give the government a benefit of doubts until the government fails again.
Makuach said he has started his mission back to his headquarters at Ayod-Duk counties border in response to government’s decision to release Dr. Riek Machar Teny and to implement the peace agreement in letter and spirit.
Asked of what would happen if the government fails to release Dr. Riek Machar Teny or if the government decides to sentence Dr. Riek Machar Teny and his colleagues to death by a fire squad or life in prison, the prophet said he won’t put the cart before the horse but that would be a declaration of a tribal war and as a Nuerman he would respond according to what suits the best interest of his community and the Nuer tribe.
Makuach further assures that he may never want to go to Malakal if the government declares a tribal civil war on his people when the Jonglei State capital, Bor, is just a few miles away from his headquarters.
Prophet Makuach held a three-day meeting in Ghok of Northern Ayod where he was persuaded by elders to give peace a chance and wait for the court and government’s decision to release Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Puot Kang Chuol, Lt, Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Maam Pal Dhuor, Gatwich Lam Puoch, Brig. Gen. Gatmai Kel and Dominic Gatgok Riek on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Prophet Makuach further calls on the government to stop bombardments of civilians for peace and stability to prevail across the country.
Makuach’s forces and people of Gok were bombed by the government air force when he first arrived in the area but no casualties were reported.
