United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)-supported General Court Martial launches in Wau
A military court has officially begun in Wau, the capital of South Sudan's Western Bahr El Ghazal, to hear cases related to allegations of serious misconduct by uniformed personnel from the South Sudan's Peoples Defense Forces (SSPDF).
As judges and legal officers stood to take their oaths, marking the official opening of the proceedings, silence washed over community members. In a country where access to justice is often not available for many people in remote locations, this quiet moment speaks volumes – it's pregnant with hope that even though justice has been delayed, it won't be denied.
For Major General Marech Chietak from this young nation's National Prisons Service, the message is clear. 'Noone is above the law, irrespective of the uniform they wear.'
As the general court martial began hearing cases on 18 July, the emphasis remains on fairness, accountability and transparency.
'The overarching principle governing these proceedings is respect for the rule of law,' says Justice Yai Anyuon Akot, a high court judge in Wau.
'Military courts aren't merely about meting out punishments but rather ensuring that people who have been wronged can receive the reparations they deserve, thereby restoring public faith in the justice system,' he added. 'It's about building trust between uniformed personnel and community members.'
For their part, community members, while optimistic, still have concerns, reveals Stephen Musa, a civil society representative.
'There is a lot of doubt among people about what will happen if they come forward and report cases,' he said. 'People are worried about their safety, confidentiality and some fear retaliation if the verdict doesn't go in their favour,' he stated. 'It is our shared responsibility to build trust and ensure survivors are protected and I hope the final outcome of this court will shore up public trust in the system.'
Sam Muhumure, Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan's (UNMISS) Field Office in Western Bahr El Ghazal, is keenly aware of community sentiment.
"With years of conflict and struggles under their belt, it's understandable that people are apprehensive. Our hope, as UNMISS, is that supporting such military courts is the first step to creating mutual understanding and respect among civilians and military personnel. It's one of the many steps that collectively contribute towards building a lasting peace in South Sudan,' he explains.
The Wau general court martial is expected to hear a total of 28 cases, 15 of which relate to serious crimes such as rape and murder. These proceedings will conclude on 6 July, with judgments and sentencing, followed by a civilian-military dialogue on 7 July to reinforce public understanding of the process and promote trust between communities and the armed forces.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Zawya
Central African Republic: Breakthrough as ex-combatants of rebel group are convicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity but trial tarnished by absence of four defendants
Reacting to the news that the Special Criminal Court has convicted six former combatants of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic (Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique) for crimes against humanity and war crimes, Alice Banens, Legal Adviser at Amnesty International, said: 'The decision handed down by the Special Criminal Court (SCC) in the Ndélé 2 case represents a breakthrough in the fight against impunity for serious crimes committed in the Central African Republic. Light has been shed on the atrocities committed in Ndélé in March 2020. 'However, four of the six people found guilty and given heavy sentences were convicted in absentia. Amnesty International considers that the defendant's right to be present at their trial, to prepare their defence with their lawyer, and to address the Court directly are pillars of the right of defence, without which there can be no fair trial. 'Several suspects who are accused of serious crimes and subject to arrest warrants from the SCC are still at large. This situation continues to deprive victims of their right to truth, justice and effective reparation. The execution of arrest warrants is essential if the fight against impunity is not to be selective.' Background In the Ndélé 2 case, six defendants were found guilty of crimes against humanity, including murder, attempted murder, inhuman acts and persecution, and war crimes, and sentenced to between 18 and 25 years' imprisonment. In March 2020, the town of Ndélé, in the north-east of the country, was attacked by members of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic, an armed group from the former Séléka coalition. The violence left dozens dead and displaced hundreds of people. The Special Criminal Court is a hybrid court set up in the Central African Republic in 2018. It is composed of Central African and non-Central African judges and personnel. It was created to investigate, prosecute and judge the most serious crimes committed since 2003. The Ndélé 2 case is the third to be heard by the SCC since the effective start of its judicial work, following the Paoua and Ndélé 1 cases. In 2020 and 2021, Amnesty International published two reports analyzing the challenges facing the SCC. The organization called for increased support for the Court and greater transparency. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Zawya
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)-supported General Court Martial launches in Wau
A military court has officially begun in Wau, the capital of South Sudan's Western Bahr El Ghazal, to hear cases related to allegations of serious misconduct by uniformed personnel from the South Sudan's Peoples Defense Forces (SSPDF). As judges and legal officers stood to take their oaths, marking the official opening of the proceedings, silence washed over community members. In a country where access to justice is often not available for many people in remote locations, this quiet moment speaks volumes – it's pregnant with hope that even though justice has been delayed, it won't be denied. For Major General Marech Chietak from this young nation's National Prisons Service, the message is clear. 'Noone is above the law, irrespective of the uniform they wear.' As the general court martial began hearing cases on 18 July, the emphasis remains on fairness, accountability and transparency. 'The overarching principle governing these proceedings is respect for the rule of law,' says Justice Yai Anyuon Akot, a high court judge in Wau. 'Military courts aren't merely about meting out punishments but rather ensuring that people who have been wronged can receive the reparations they deserve, thereby restoring public faith in the justice system,' he added. 'It's about building trust between uniformed personnel and community members.' For their part, community members, while optimistic, still have concerns, reveals Stephen Musa, a civil society representative. 'There is a lot of doubt among people about what will happen if they come forward and report cases,' he said. 'People are worried about their safety, confidentiality and some fear retaliation if the verdict doesn't go in their favour,' he stated. 'It is our shared responsibility to build trust and ensure survivors are protected and I hope the final outcome of this court will shore up public trust in the system.' Sam Muhumure, Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan's (UNMISS) Field Office in Western Bahr El Ghazal, is keenly aware of community sentiment. "With years of conflict and struggles under their belt, it's understandable that people are apprehensive. Our hope, as UNMISS, is that supporting such military courts is the first step to creating mutual understanding and respect among civilians and military personnel. It's one of the many steps that collectively contribute towards building a lasting peace in South Sudan,' he explains. The Wau general court martial is expected to hear a total of 28 cases, 15 of which relate to serious crimes such as rape and murder. These proceedings will conclude on 6 July, with judgments and sentencing, followed by a civilian-military dialogue on 7 July to reinforce public understanding of the process and promote trust between communities and the armed forces. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Argentine nurse gets life sentence for murder of five babies
A nurse was sentenced to life in prison for killing five babies and attempting to murder eight others at a hospital in Argentina, according to local media. Brenda Cecilia Aguero injected potassium and insulin into newborns between March and June 2022, taking doses from emergency medical carts without inventory control, prosecutors said. Under Argentine law, Aguero will not be eligible for parole before serving 35 years. The court clerk read out the sentencing in footage broadcast on local media on Wednesday. The babies, all born healthy, died under initially unexplained circumstances at the neonatal ward of the maternal and child hospital in Cordoba province, 370 miles (600 km) northwest of Buenos Aires. Eight others survived due to swift medical intervention. The trial also brought charges against 10 other defendants including former provincial officials and health professionals for cover-up and dereliction of duty. Those charged included a former health minister and secretary of health of Cordoba province, as well as the former hospital director. Aguero, who was arrested in 2022, denied the charges, earlier telling the court "they have no evidence" and accusing media of portraying her as a "serial killer." Of the other defendants, five were found guilty but received lesser sentences while five others were acquitted, including the former provincial officials, according to local outlet Infobae.
