SSYR Statement on the Fabricated Allegations Against Puot Kang Chuol and Opposition Leaders
For Immediate Release
October 17, 2025 | Juba
The South Sudan Youth Reforms (SSYR) strongly condemns the unfounded and politically motivated allegations presented during the ongoing special court proceedings against suspended Minister Puot Kang Chuol, First Vice President Riek Machar, and other opposition leaders. These allegations—claiming that Puot Kang financed a militia with $30,000 to carry out the Nasir attack—are part of a broader effort to criminalize political opponents and derail the peace process.
Politicized Trials, Not Justice
The testimony of Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, accusing Puot Kang of funding the White Army, is based on hearsay, unverified claims, and communications that clearly violate constitutional protections of privacy and due process. By admitting such questionable testimony, the court risks becoming an instrument of political persecution rather than a forum for justice.
The defense has rightly objected to the unlawful methods being employed, including violations of Article 22 of the Transitional Constitution and the 2008 Criminal Procedure Act, which safeguard the privacy and rights of citizens. The refusal to respect these protections exposes the political agenda behind this trial.
Targeting Opposition Voices
This trial is not about justice for the victims of violence. Instead, it is a calculated attempt to silence prominent reformist voices and intimidate citizens from speaking out against corruption, mismanagement, and repression. By framing opposition leaders as financiers of violence, the government seeks to delegitimize political alternatives and consolidate power through fear.
Undermining Peace and Stability
Fabricated accusations and show trials only worsen the fragility of South Sudan’s peace process. They erode public trust, inflame divisions, and divert attention from the urgent need to address governance failures, rampant insecurity, and the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of South Sudanese.
SSYR’s Position
- We categorically reject the unfounded allegations against Puot Kang Chuol and other accused leaders.
- We demand that the judiciary remain independent and uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and the rule of law.
- We call on the government to stop weaponizing the courts as political tools against opposition figures.
- We urge international partners, including the U.N., AU, IGAD, and donor states, to closely monitor these proceedings and hold South Sudanese authorities accountable for due process violations.
- We reaffirm that peace and reconciliation cannot be achieved through scapegoating, intimidation, or fabricated charges.
Conclusion
South Sudan deserves institutions that deliver truth and justice, not political theatre. The path to stability lies in dialogue, accountability for all sides, and a recommitment to the peace agreement—not in targeting individuals with fabricated accusations.
📌 #SSYR #RuleOfLaw #JusticeForSouthSudan #ProtectOpposition #PeaceNotPersecution