Key witness in South Sudan's treason trial pulls out
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April 1, 2014 (JUBA) - A key witness in the special court trial of
four South Sudanese officials accused of treason has withdrawn from
the case, the presiding judge announced Tuesday.
JPEG - 69.4 kb
South Sudan Interior Minister Aleu Ayeny Aleu speaks to the media in
Juba on August 27, 2013 (Photo:Waakhe Simon Wudu/AFP/Getty Images)
The country's interior minister, Aleu Ayieny Aleu who was previously
declared a prosecution witness in the case notified court on Tuesday
of his decision to pull-out highlighting the challenges with which the
government was grappling to substantiate claims of attempted failed
coup against President Salva Kiir's regime.
Court has also given the government up to Friday April 11 to produce
its four remaining witnesses less they will be disregarded from the
treason trial.
MORE WITNESSES
The case of the four detained South Sudanese officials continued last
week with more prosecution witnesses providing evidence linking the
accused to an alleged coup plot in mid-December, which the government
has blamed for triggering violence across the country.
The four politicians, who include the former secretary-general of the
country's ruling party (SPLM), Pagan Amum, as well as former ministers
Majak D'Agot and Oyai Deng Ajak and former envoy to the United States
Ezekiel Lul Gatkuoth, have been charged with treason. They deny the
charges.
The four are allies of the country's former vice-president turned
rebel leader, Riek Machar, who has been charged in absentia.
A week ago, Maj. Gen. Mach Paul Kuol, the director of military
intelligence, became the fifth witness to testify in court.
In his testimony, Gen. Mach said he became "concerned" when former
Unity state governor Taban Deng Gai allegedly called him on 13
December 2013 - two days before fighting erupted in the military
barracks in the capital, Juba, to inquire about the arrest of a junior
officer.
According to Gen. Mach, the sergeant had attempted to snatch the keys
to the military armoury on 12 December, but was subsequently arrested
and questioned about his behaviour.
"I told him (Gai) that the soldier was arrested on administrative
issues connected with his work," he said, adding that he had convened
a meeting of intelligence chiefs a day later.
"I briefed them that there is something unusual," he said in reference
to the phone call.
The director military intelligence further claimed the press release
issued by opposition politicians on 6 December, who included the four
now before the court, had "instigated" the army.
"The press statement overstepped what was a political party issue and
threat[ened] national security," he told the court hearing.
However, when questioned by defence lawyers if the four politicians
being tried played any role in organising the mid-December violence,
he replied "No".
(ST)
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