R/SM Ater Bol Piol, the fifth prosecution witness, gave his testimony during the court’s 34th session, recounting how he was captured on March 12, 2025, after fleeing intense fighting at the Nasir garrison in Upper Nile State. He said he was seized by SPLA-IO forces while hiding in the surrounding bushes.
Ater, an armoured unit commander at the Nasir garrison, told the court that his captors informed him that his freedom depended on a financial payment. He stated that he originates from Akon Payam in Gogrial West County, the same area as President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
According to his testimony, SPLA-IO General Thiech later facilitated a phone call between him and First Vice President Riek Machar on March 15. During the call, Machar allegedly urged Ater to defect and join the opposition forces, promising him a promotion to the rank of colonel.
“Machar told me to go back to Nasir and remove the tanks from Wech-Yar-Adiu, and he would promote me to colonel and put me in charge of military artillery,” Ater told the court.
Ater said he rejected the offer outright. Following his refusal, he testified that the SPLA-IO commander of Ulang County, Maj. Gen. Thiech continued to hold him hostage and demanded $20,000 for his release.
He told the court that he explained to his captors that he was a serving member of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) earning a monthly salary of 90,000 South Sudanese pounds.
“I told him that if I had such money, I would use it to feed my children. I said it was better for me to die because there was no way I could raise that amount,” Ater said.
He further testified that he informed his family of the ransom demand through his wife, who is from Ulang County. Eventually, the SPLA-IO commanders agreed to accept SSP 11.5 million after his brother allegedly threatened to report the matter to relatives in Juba should Ater be killed.
Ater said he was later airlifted from Ulang on a commercial flight contracted by the SSPDF. He arrived in Juba on March 19 alongside eight other survivors of the Nasir garrison attack.
The court adjourned proceedings to January 5, 2026, when the prosecution is expected to present additional witnesses.
