Army court-martial soldiers accused of rape, murder in Yei

JUBA – At least eleven (11) soldiers belonging to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Yei River County are currently facing a court-martial for murder, rape and looting.

This is two years after the military established a court to try such crimes across the Yei.

Sudans Post has learned that the soldiers – whose names have not been revealed – are between the rank of corporal and lance corporal.

The court was established in 2020 by the general headquarters of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces in an attempt to try to bring to justice soldiers accused of standing behind atrocities among civilians during the conflict.

According to the commissioner of Yei River County Aggrey Cyrus, the headquarters sent a team of judges to the area to start the trial this week to commence the long-awaited trial.

“The judges arrived yesterday we launched the court martial in the barracks yesterday. Today they resumed their proceedings this morning. Eleven cases for murder, six cases for rape, there are cases for rape and there are cases for robbery,” said Cyrus as quoted by Eye Radio.