SSYR Condemns Torture, Kidnapping, and Sham Trial of Dr. Machar and Colleagues
For Immediate Release | 📆 October 1, 2025
The South Sudan Youth Reforms (SSYR) expresses outrage at revelations from the trial of Dr. Riek Machar and seven colleagues. Accused leaders have testified to being kidnapped, chained, and tortured by security forces acting under the direction of the Juba regime.
❌ Gross Human Rights Violations
- Mam Pal Dhuor testified he was kidnapped by armed personnel, not legally arrested.
- Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam described being tortured and restrained in chains during interrogation.
- These practices are consistent with the regime’s pattern of silencing opposition through fear and brutality.
🚨 Politically Motivated “Show Trial”
- The hearings, closed to media, are controlled by regime-appointed investigators.
- This is political theatre designed to destroy Upper Nile’s leadership and scapegoat the Nuer community.
- Invoking the 1991 split is recycled propaganda to justify ethnic persecution.
📢 SSYR’s Position
- We reject the legitimacy of this trial—it is a vendetta, not justice.
- We demand international oversight and an independent investigation into torture and enforced disappearances.
- We call on the AU, IGAD, and UN to hold the Juba regime accountable.
- We stand with Upper Nile communities resisting displacement, intimidation, and repression.
đź”´ Call to the Youth
South Sudanese youth must reject this sham process. Kidnapping and torture of our leaders is not justice—it is the regime’s fear of truth. Together we must demand peace, fairness, and accountability.