South Sudan soldier shot himself dead after children starved

June 20, 2016 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese soldier deployed at New Site, an outskirt three kilometers north of the national capital, Juba, has shot himself dead after his children died of hunger.

The incident left residents in shock and raised fears that the situation could explode should the government continue to turn a blind eye on the developing situation.

The suicide committed by the soldier because he had not been paid for months, leaving his children to starve to death at home, prompted a brief gunfire from colleagues and relatives protesting the manner in which the welfare of the soldiers’ families was allegedly neglected by the government.

According to neighbours of the victim, the soldier decided to shoot himself dead after realizing that he has nothing at hand to support his remaining family and there was no body willing to pity his situation and offer psychological support after losing some of his kids due to hunger.

A colleague said he was in a discussion with the deceased after hearing the frustration from the late who said he could do anything, including killing himself if nobody was able to comfort him.

“We sat down on Thursday and had a long discussion. He was asking what else he has not done to the country for him to see his children die of hunger. He was saying there is no need to remain alive. What will I do without children, without wife? What is the future? I better go with them (children),” said the soldier, according to a colleague with whom he was engaged in discussion before killing himself on Monday.

Kuol Deng Mijak, a resident of New Site said he knew the soldier personally. He described him as quiet. He said he first shot through the roof several times in an attempt to scare away police officers who had surrounded the house to rescue him. The soldier then turned the gun on himself after sensing imminent threat.

“We then forced the metallic door open and stormed into the house to find the soldier dead. He had killed himself with a shot through the chin,” said Mijak.

“We have already commenced investigations into the incident to establish the circumstances leading to the deaths,” he added.

No official statements were released about the incident from the general command and office of the spokesperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), the official army of South Sudan.

Also the police authorities in Juba have not come out to make a statement about what transpired.

(ST)