Torit, South Sudan,
July 13, 2021- At least 50 senior commanders of South Sudan Peoples Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Eastern Equatoria state have received training on international human rights laws to guide them in deterring crimes related to sexual violence perpetrated by military men in uniform.
In a statement obtained by Nyamilepedia, the training of 50 commanders took place in Torit, the capital of Eastern Equatoria State under the auspices of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Anthony Nwapa, a Human Rights Officer working at UNMISS said they are providing training workshops annually with the aim of making commanders aware of their responsibilities to their people.
“We schedule such sessions regularly to make you aware of your responsibilities to the people of South Sudan,” he stated on the UNMISS website.
“If the rights of people are respected, they will be happy, and when they are happy, there is peace,” Anthony added.
The Human Rights Division of UNMISS organizes similar training every year.
The workshop was a rekindle course for SSPDF commanders of their obligation to the joint communique signed by the opposition parties and South Sudan government on the 12th of September, 2018 in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.
UN provides course opportunities for them to be able to address conflict-related sexual violence and approaching the protection of civilians in a professional manner in accordance with established military codes of conduct.
According to Human rights watchdogs reports, the cases of sexual violence, rape, killings, and other related crimes in South Sudan are very rampant and most of which are committed by military men in uniform. This happens because most of the soldiers in the country are not well informed about military ethics and doctrines.
