South Sudan: Army to try soldiers over civilian massacre

News Update: Military Court Martial in South Sudan

South Sudanese military personnel, including two officers, are set to undergo a court martial following a civilian massacre. This was confirmed by the army spokesperson on Wednesday.

The nation is experiencing increased instability with ongoing confrontations between government and opposition forces. The United Nations reports that since December, these clashes have displaced over 280,000 individuals, primarily in the eastern Jonglei state.

On February 21, in Ayod County, Jonglei state, 25 civilians, including women and children, were reported killed. This incident is attributed to certain elements under General Johnson Olony, who was previously recorded in January instructing troops to "spare no lives" in the region.

According to army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang, two officers, including a major, along with several non-commissioned officers, have been detained. They will face charges in Juba before a military court martial. The soldiers acted independently, without the approval or knowledge of the division commander, and were part of a militia allied with opposition forces, not yet fully integrated into the national army.

Military Integration and Peace Agreement

The integration of military forces was a key element of the peace agreement that ended South Sudan's civil war in 2018 between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. However, this integration has not been fully realized.

The army expressed regret over the loss of civilian lives and reiterated its commitment to protecting civilians and their property. The Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference also issued a plea for deploying resources to safeguard vulnerable populations and promoting dialogue and reconciliation.

Based on reporting by Africanews.