South Sudan regrets execution of rebel officers, orders probe
August 9, 2022 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese Peoples Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Tuesday denied sanctioning the execution of unarmed rebel officers arrested by Sudanese authorities and handed over to South Sudan on Sunday.
The rebels allied to Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang, the leader of the rebel group South Sudan People’s Movement/ Army (SSPM/A), were killed by firing squad.
However, the South Sudanese Defense minister, Angelina Teny said the army did not sanction execution of rebel fighters arrested from neighbouring Sudan.
She condemned the “barbaric” act, saying it is not government’s policy to kill.
“What happened in Mayom [County] was injustice. It is a barbaric act that is unacceptable. It cannot be tolerated. There is nothing like that. The order did not come from the Ministry of Defence and SSPDF”, explained Teny.
She further added, “We have military justice, when someone is arrested and they are culprits, the due process takes place, they are investigated, tried and the trial passes the judgment. We do not do summary executions”.
The military spokesperson, General Lul Ruai Koang also confirmed the execution of rebels, saying no orders were given by the command leadership.
He, however, said that the video circulated on social media prompted the army’s leadership to convene a meeting over the matter on Tuesday morning.
“There was no prior information. The SSPDF general headquarters learned of this development on social media. It was on social media where we saw the same pictures and so the command decided to convene a meeting to hold consultations. It is from the consultation that I was directed by the chief of the defense forces that a thorough investigation is going to be carried out so that we know exactly who ordered the killing to be carried out”, said Koang.
During the liberation war struggle, he explained, prisoners of war were not killed but instead treated humanely in accordance with the Geneva Convention.
“What we have witnessed in Mayom County of Unity State is unacceptable [and] the chief of defense forces has promised thorough investigation. Those who are behind the killings are going to be held accountable”, stressed Koang.
Unity State’s security adviser, Stephen Salam separately confirmed the execution of the rebels arrested and handed over to South Sudan on Monday.
Last month, SSPLM/A rebels attacked and killed Mayom county commissioner James Gatluak Manine, a brother to Kiir’s security advisor Tut Gatluak Manime.
(ST)