Twelve criminal cases involving members of South Sudan's armed forces were recently heard by a General Court Martial in Maridi, Western Equatoria State. Photos: Denis Louro/UNMISS
WESTERN EQUATORIA - The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) recently provided technical and financial support the deployment of a General Court Martial in Maridi to promote justice and accountability for crimes committed by military officers serving with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.
The Court tried and delivered verdicts in 12 cases, including rape and murder. Eight were convicted, dismissed from the forces, sentenced to between five years and life in prison, and required to pay compensation to survivors. Others were acquitted and set free.
The process has been hailed as an important demonstration of South Sudan’s willingness and ability to hold its military to account, improve discipline, build trust and confidence with civilian population, and advance peace and security.
Soldiers serving with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces wield enormous power in their conflict-affected country. They prevent outbreaks of violence and enhance peace and security by providing a protective presence, particularly in places where intercommunal conflict is rife.
However, these soldiers can also cause huge harm when they abuse their position and commit crimes against the very people they are supposed to protect, including robbery, rape, and even murder.
“That is why we are committed to promoting accountability among our ranks. We are ready and willing to hold anyone who commits crimes, including conflict related sexual violence, accountable,” said Colonel Mayiel Riak, Acting Director of Military Justice within the South Sudan People’s Defense Force.
At the end of the process, a one-day event was held to bring the military together with more than 50 representatives from local authorities, communities, and civil society to build trust and confidence.
During the interaction, a women’s representative, Mama Sarah Andrew, urged authorities to help prevent crimes committed by army personnel by ensuring that the military have the necessary support, including payment of salaries.
“Yes, many crimes are committed by soldiers, but during these trials I have come to understand that at least some of them are not the only ones to blame, because many are deployed somewhere without a receiving their salaries. As we move forward, we hope that they will be better provided for and therefore less tempted to engage in criminality,” she said.
The much-praised judicial proceedings in Maridi are likely to be followed by similar, UNMISS-supported activities elsewhere in the country, according to Rudolf Esombi, a Civil Affairs Officer serving with the peacekeeping mission.
“Court hearings are platforms where we can all discuss our common problems and seek common solutions while committing ourselves to durable and sustainable peace. We are committed to assisting the rule of law not only in Western Equatoria but across South Sudan,” he said.
As the event concluded, in another sign of its willingness to strengthen professionalism among armed personnel and better protect the citizens they are tasked to serve, the Military Justice Directorate distributed materials to explain its plan to prevent sexual violence.