Latest news with #SSPDF
Zawya
a day ago
- Politics
- 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).
Arab Times
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Uganda air-drops relief food aid to South Sudan's violence-hit state
KAMPALA, June 1, (Xinhua): The Ugandan military said on Saturday that it has conducted air-drops of 600 metric tons of essential food supplies targeting several locations in South Sudan's violence-hit state of Upper Nile. Chris Magezi, acting military spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that Uganda Peoples' Defense Airforce has airlifted humanitarian aid deliveries provided by international partners from South Sudan's Juba International Airport to the hard-hit areas in Ulang and Nasir counties. In March, intense fighting broke out in Nasir between the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the White Army, a militia group that the government claims is linked to the opposition Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, led by First Vice President Riek Machar. Machar is currently under house arrest in the national capital of Juba. "In the past few days, our air force has airdropped emergency food aid to hard-hit areas where thousands of displaced people are currently living in famine conditions following the outbreak of armed violence early this year," said Magezi. Uganda's military, at the request of South Sudanese authorities, deployed an expeditionary force in the country in March to help support SSPDF in rear security operations to secure Juba, as well as provide other military-technical assistance following the deadly clashes. Magezi said the security situation around the greater Juba region has since stabilized, easing tensions that have allowed foreign missions, businesses, and trade to resume operations.
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
UN urges warring sides in South Sudan to ‘pull back from the brink'
GENEVA: The UN rights chief has urged warring sides in South Sudan to pull back from the brink, warning that the human rights situation risks further deterioration as fighting intensifies. 'The escalating hostilities in South Sudan portend a real risk of further exacerbating the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation, and undermining the country's fragile peace process,' said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. 'All parties must urgently pull back from the brink,' he added. Since May 3, fighting has intensified, with OHCHR citing reports of indiscriminate aerial bombardment and river and ground offensives by the South Sudan People's Defense Forces SSPDF on Sudan People's Liberation Army positions in parts of Fangak in Jonglei State and in Tonga County in Upper Nile. Clashes between South Sudan's army and fighters backing the rival to President Salva Kiir have killed at least 75 civilians since February, the UN human rights chief said on Friday. Dozens more have been injured and thousands forced to flee their homes, said the commissioner. He expressed concern over arbitrary detentions and a rise in hate speech since February. South Sudan, the world's youngest country after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, was plunged into a violent civil war between 2013 and 2018 that claimed around 400,000 lives. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, was plunged into a civil war between 2013 and 2018 that left around 400,000 dead and 4 million displaced. A 2018 power-sharing agreement between the warring parties had allowed for a precarious calm. But for several months, violent clashes have set President Kiir's faction against supporters of his rival, Vice President Riek Machar, who was arrested in March. Civilian-populated areas have been struck, including a medical facility operated by medical charity Doctors Without Borders or MSF, Turk said. According to a UN estimate in mid-April, around 125,000 people have been displaced since the escalation of tensions. Turk said dozens of opposition politicians linked to the SPLM-IO had been arrested, including Machar, ministers, MPs and army officers, as had civilians.
Al Arabiya
23-05-2025
- Health
- Al Arabiya
UN rights chief urges warring sides in South Sudan to ‘pull back from the brink'
The United Nations human rights chief on Friday called on all parties in South Sudan to de-escalate fighting, warning that the worsening conflict threatens to further unravel the country's fragile peace process and deepen an already dire humanitarian crisis. 'The escalating hostilities in South Sudan portend a real risk of further exacerbating the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation, and undermining the country's fragile peace process,' said Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. 'All parties must urgently pull back from the brink,' he added. According to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the violence has intensified since May 3, with reports of indiscriminate aerial bombardments as well as river and ground offensives by the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) targeting Sudan People's Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) positions in parts of Fangak in Jonglei State and Tonga County in Upper Nile. The agency said at least 75 civilians have been killed and 78 others injured in the violence between May 3 and May 20. Thousands have been displaced, and civilian-populated areas — including a medical facility operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) — have come under attack.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
South Sudan army confirms carrying out aerial bombardment
JUBA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Wednesday acknowledged carrying out what it termed as strategic aerial bombardments in Jonglei and Unity states. "As of now, SSPDF Command has no comments to make on reported strategic bombing raids in Fangak and Mayom counties of Jonglei and Unity states, respectively," SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The airstrikes by the SSPDF in Kueryick village of Mayom County killed six people and wounded 12 others, according to the state's youth leader. "The destruction inflicted upon civilians is unacceptable and violates fundamental human rights, undermining efforts toward peace and stability in the region," Nyadin Lual Gai, chairperson of Unity State Youth Union, said in a statement. The airstrike near a World Food Program warehouse in New Fangak damaged a dike that protects local people from floods. The military operation came after the bombing of a hospital run by the global medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) and a market in Old Fangak on Saturday, which left seven people dead and 27 others seriously injured. The bombing of the health facility, which serves about 110,000 people, has since been strongly condemned by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, which monitors the implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
