Oct 08, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — At least 24 members of South Sudan People Defense Force (SSPDF) have been sentenced to 14 years in jail by the General Court Martial(GCM) for committing various crimes.
According to the army spokesman, these soldiers were arrested between 2019 and 2020 in the Yei River, Central Equatoria State, and have been convicted of committing crimes such as sexual violence, among others.
He said most of them are charged with rape, looting, killing and selling of personnel weapons, among others.
SSPDF spokesperson Maj.-Gen. Lul Ruai confirmed the sentencing when addressing the media after the sentencing.
“They were convicted for various crimes ranging from rape to looting and sale of personnel guns,” SSPDF spokesperson Maj.-Gen. Lul Ruai told the media.
He added that their sentence will range between two to 14 years’ imprisonment.
According to the police spokesperson, among those sentenced is Thuch Majok, a caporal who was stripped to the rank of private, dismissed from SSPDF, fine 500,000 Pounds and sentenced to 14 years in prison for rape.
Others include Sergeant Andria Aguer, Captain Joseph Luiz, Santino Garang Majok, James Mayuen, and Corporal Daniel Anyaya, among others.
Maj.-Gen. Ruai called the occasion an indication that SSPDF don’t condone crimes.
“The importance of the occasion was held is an indication that we at the SSPDF don’t condone the commission of crimes against civilians and the government,” Maj.-Gen. Ruai added.
South Sudan’s army has been running lose during the war. Crimes like these are not usually punished; however, due to mounting pressure from the international community Salva Kiir leadership, which is fighting individuals sanctions for these crimes may have to do more.
The South Sudanese President Salva Kiir met with French Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan at J-One yesterday and called on France to help him fight UN sanctions, among others.
