CEPO welcomes calls for review of SSPDF training policy

JUBA – A South Sudanese civil society entity has welcomed calls for review of the policy for training the army (SSPDF), amid reports that the latter was recently involved in the harassment and killing of civilians during a disarmament exercise.

Speaking during a Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMM) Technical Committee meeting held in Juba on Thursday, the CTSAMCM chairperson Maj. Gen. Hailu Gonfa Eddosa said they investigating several cases, some involving harassment of civilians by the military.

“One of the more serious of these allegations concerned the actions of some SSPDF units during a disarmament exercise in Gondokoro,” he told the meeting.

Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed CTSAMVM’s move to investigate the army’s actions.

“CEPO welcomes the positive CTSAMVM response to our lobby and advocacy on investigations of the alleged harassment, intimidation and looting of the civilians during the Gondokoro civilians’ disarmament exercise by SSPDF,” he said.

The activist said investigation of the Gondokoro human rights violations is a good example of calls for accountability over the injustices against unarmed civilians.

He cited the example of the military court martial in Yei River County and other parts of the country as efforts to hold soldiers accountable for crimes committed.

Yakani, however, urged CTSAMVM to ensure the investigation is genuinely done.

“Promoting high discipline among officers of the security and defense sector is essential for building a culture where officers adhere to the principle of civil-rule,” he said, urging CTSAMVM to deeply investigate and make their report public.