South Sudan soldiers to face trial over killing of civilians

South Sudan’s army confirmed on March 4th that its own soldiers will face a military trial over the killing of civilians in Jonglei state, Africanews via AFP reported.

Two officers, including a major and a number of non-commissioned officers have been arrested over the massacre, according to South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesman Lul Ruai Koang. The suspects will be taken to the capital Juba to face charges before a military court.

Koang said the arrests followed reports that members of the SSPDF were involved in the killings.

According to Koang, the soldiers involved were purportedly from a unit led by General Johnson Olony and had left their base “without the knowledge or authorisation of the division commander.”

They were drawn from a militia aligned with opposition forces that had not yet been fully integrated into the army.

Military integration was one of the core elements of the 2018 peace agreement that ended South Sudan’s five-year civil war between President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar, but the process has never been fully implemented.

Footage filmed in Jonglei in January showed Olony telling troops to “spare no lives”.

Koang expressed regret over the loss of life and reminded soldiers that their mandate was to protect civilians and their property, “not to do the opposite”.

On February 21st, at least 25 people, including women and children, were killed in Ayod County in Jonglei state. The region has seen repeated clashes between government forces and opposition groups.

Jonglei has been the scene of frequent attacks on civilians during South Sudan’s long-running conflict.

Despite the 2018 peace agreement, clashes between armed groups and government forces have continued in several parts of the country. Jonglei remains one of the areas most affected by violence.

Africanews via AFP, Maghrebi.org