Khartoum erred in handing over rebel officers to Juba: Malong
August 10, 2022 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s former army chief of staff, General Paul Malong Awan has strongly condemned Khartoum’s decision to hand over rebels fighters executed by South Sudanese authorities on Tuesday.
Malong, who heads South Sudan United Front (SSUF), said human rights bodies should hold those who carried out the inhumane act accountable.
“We also condemn the Sudanese government for its involvement and handed over the prisoners of war to the government of South Sudan which confirms its complicity in the crime that took place. We call upon human rights organizations to hold those involved in these inhumane acts accountable”, he explained in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.
On Sunday, Sudanese authorities arrested key rebel officers in al-Fula town in Western Kordofan State, drove them through the oil processing town of Heglig and then handed them over to South Sudan’s Unity State authorities.
The officers were summarily executed upon arrival, causing public outrage.
The act was condemned by the government, amid calls for immediate action.
The South Sudanese Information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth expressed disappointment at the decision, saying the culprits would face justice.
“As a government, we condemn what happened in Mayom [County]. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms, and action will be taken against those who committed such atrocities,” explained Lueth.
He added, “They will be apprehended and brought to the book”.
Lueth said the country is governed by laws which must be respected.
The Chief of Defense Forces, General Santino Deng Wol also pledged to hold accountable those involved in extra-judicial killings in Mayom County.
He immediately directed an investigation into the incident to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable for the “unacceptable” incident.
For her part, South Sudan’s Defence and Veterans Affairs minister, Angelina Teny equally condemned the extrajudicial killing that took place in Mayom.
She said that the South Sudanese army (SSPDF) did not order the execution.
“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 judgment. We do not do summary execution,” said Teny.
The officers, believed to be part of the South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A) were arrested by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces and handed to authorities in Juba.
Stephen Buay Rolnyang, a former army commander, heads the new rebel group.
(ST)