South Sudan army chief urged to delivery justice over senior military officer’s death

JUBA – South Sudan army chief has been urged by the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into circumstances leading to the demise of a high-ranking South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) officer.

Lt. Col Yuma Sebastian who was deployed to Camp 15 in Kapoeta County of Eastern Equatoria state arrived in Yei recently to visit his family, but was arrested by members of the SSPDF military intelligence for allegedly leaving his assignment without permission.

But on Saturday morning, the former peace singer was found dead in his cell at a military facility in Yei.

Family members and friends say that Lt. Col. Yuma appeared to have been tortured to death as signs of electric shocks could be seen in his stomach and back as well as a broken jaw.

The Commissioner of Yei River County Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa confirmed his demise, but said more details on Lt. Col Yuma’s death haven’t yet been found and urged the “people of Yei to be calm as they mourn their loved one and ensure that the cause of justice shall be pursued accordingly.”

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, welcomed the announcement by the Yei County Commissioner and said that the Lt. Col. Yuma’s death is a clear case of torture.

“CEPO welcomes the statement of Yei River county commissioner for confirming that the incident was a case of torture to death. This is serious crime and human rights abuse that requires justice without any delay,” Yakani said.

“The investigation process mentioned by the county commissioner should be done in transparent manner and immediate the investigation findings are executed without any delay. We have seen how the state authorities normally use strategy of investigation for undermining call for justice with the example of recent incident in Kajokeji,” he added.

The outspoken activist further called on the army chief to personally “act urgently and ensure military justice taken necessary legal steps with fully observation of the due legal process for making justice prevail.”

“The SSPDF CDF should act urgently and ensure military justice taken necessary legal steps with fully observation of the due legal process for making justice prevail,” he added.