SPLA sentences soldier to death, dismisses 40 for misconduct

December 17, 2014 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese army (SPLA) has sentenced a military police soldier to death for the murder of another soldier in what was deemed to be an ethnically motivated killing.

Forty other soldiers charged with misconduct were jailed, had their ranks removed and dismissed from future military service.

SPLA commander Henry Oyai told a military parade in Bilpam, the army;s national headquarters, that president Salva Kiir will have to approve the sentence before the soldier can be executed.

“This will set example to other soldiers who don’t respect [the] military code of conduct,” said Oyai, while speaking to a military parade on Tuesday.

According to Lt. Gen. Malual Ayom, the deputy chief of general staff for administration, all the soldiers charged with offences belong to the Dinka tribe, of which Kiir also hails.

Ayom said those charged with minor misconduct offences would be spared long terms jail.

“Nobody is above the law. You cannot kill and go unpunished,” said Ayom, speaking after the hearing.

The other soldiers had faced charges ranging from looting, firing during the night in town and unauthorised absences from duty, and were handed three to five-year jail terms.

It is first time the SPLA has condemned one of its officers for misconduct despite public outcry that members of the organised forces are routinely involved in causing insecurity in various towns.

(ST)