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STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / GENERAL COURT MARTIAL
TRT: 04:25
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 03 SEPTEMBER, MARIDI, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, General Court Martial
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Colonel Mayiel Riak, South Sudan People’s Defense Force Acting Director of Military Justice: “SSPDF general headquarter is committed to promoting accountability among all the people working under the SSPDF if they commit crimes. We are ready to bring them for accountability, including conflict related sexual violence against women, girls, and mothers committed by military personnel, to bring justice to people of Maridi.”
3. Various shots, General Court Martial
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mama Sarah Andrew, Women’s representative:
“There many cases committed by soldiers but, when I looked into it during the trials, the soldier is really innocent, because he has been assigned somewhere without the salary to support him. Therefore, we are urging that, whenever a soldier is being deployed, let there be special consideration, including salary, food, and even their medication should be catered for.”
5. Various shots, civil military engagement
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Eliaba Anthony, representative of people with disabilities:
“As people with a disability, we face a lot of challenges. For example, a disabled person who is a cripple can be raped and they are afraid to report it because of shame. They may even be killed by the rapist, especially if it is a soldier. We want to raise awareness so that we feel safe and know that the government is here to protect us.”
7. Various shots, civil military engagement
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudolf Esombi, Civil Affairs Officer, UNMISS Yambio Field Office:
“We can all discuss our common problems seek common solution while committing ourselves to durable and sustainable peace. As the UN mission. We are committed in maintaining durable peace not only in Western Equatoria, or Maridi, but in the whole of South Sudan.”
9. Various shots, civil military engagement
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) supported the deployment of a General Court Martial in Maridi, Western Equatoria, to promote justice for crimes committed by military officers serving with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.
To help promote justice and accountability among the military, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) provided technical and financial support to the deployment of a General Court Martial in Maridi, Western Equatoria.
SOUNDBITE (English) Colonel Mayiel Riak, South Sudan People’s Defense Force Acting Director of Military Justice:
“SSPDF general headquarter is committed to promoting accountability among all the people working under the SSPDF if they commit crimes. We are ready to bring them for accountability, including conflict related sexual violence against women, girls, and mothers committed by military personnel, to bring justice to people of Maridi.”
The General Court Martial 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.
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. A women’s representative urged authorities to help prevent crimes by ensuring the military have the necessary support, including payment of salaries.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mama Sarah Andrew, Women’s representative:
“There many cases committed by soldiers but, when I looked into it during the trials, the soldier is really innocent, because he has been assigned somewhere without the salary to support him. Therefore, we are urging that, whenever a soldier is being deployed, let there be special consideration, including salary, food, and even their medication should be catered for.”
Other participants called on the Government to strengthen protection for the most vulnerable.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Eliaba Anthony, representative of people with disabilities:
“As people with a disability, we face a lot of challenges. For example, a disabled person who is a cripple can be raped and they are afraid to report it because of shame. They may even be killed by the rapist, especially if it is a soldier. We want to raise awareness so that we feel safe and know that the government is here to protect us.”
The process has been hailed as a significant demonstration of South Sudan’s willingness to hold its military to account, improve discipline, and advance peace and security.
SOUNDBITE (English) Rudolf Esombi, Civil Affairs Officer, UNMISS Yambio Field Office:
“We can all discuss our common problems, seek common solutions, while committing ourselves to durable and sustainable peace. As the UN mission, we are committed to maintaining durable peace, not only in Western Equatoria, or Maridi, but in the whole of South Sudan.”
As the event concluded, the Military Justice Directorate distributed materials to explain its plan to prevent sexual violence, in another sign of the commitment to strengthen the professionalism of the military and enhance the safety of for those they serve.
