JUBA — Former South Sudan petroleum minister Puot Kang Chol told a special court on Friday that he feared shrinking civic space in the country, comparing the current climate to the rule of former Ugandan strongman Idi Amin.
Testifying during an ongoing trial linked to the 2025 Nasir violence, Puot said he had not expected South Sudan to resemble “the era of Idi Amin Dada,” where, he argued, freedom of speech exists in principle but not in practice due to risks faced by those who speak out. He added that he had attended a public event believing that constitutional guarantees — particularly Article 24, which protects freedom of expression — would be upheld.
Puot, who served as petroleum minister in the unity government formed after the 2018 peace deal, is among several high-profile figures facing charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism and crimes against humanity in connection with the March 2025 clashes in Upper Nile State.
During his testimony, the former minister defended his actions, saying they were aimed at preventing violence and stabilizing the region. He told the court that his involvement in the Nasir incident was part of a coordinated effort with political and security leaders to deploy unified forces and reduce tensions between armed groups and civilians.
Puot also used the session to criticize the circumstances of his arrest, alleging that security forces detained him without a warrant despite his ministerial status at the time. He described being taken from his home at night and held for months under harsh conditions, claims that raise broader concerns among observers about due process and rule of law in the country.
His remarks on freedom of expression highlight growing unease among political actors and civil society in South Sudan, where critics say constitutional protections are increasingly undermined by security practices and political pressures.
The court adjourned proceedings to continue hearing testimony, as the case — seen as a major test of accountability in South Sudan’s fragile post-conflict transition — moves forward.
