A Military General Court Martial was inaugurated on Tuesday in the Western Bahr el Ghazal State capital, Wau, to hear criminal cases involving soldiers.
Speaking during the ceremony, Gen. Sten Kamilo Mboro, President of the SSPDF General Court Martial, who led a delegation from Juba, revealed that the High Command directed them to open the court in Wau and urged military judges to be impartial.
“Although we delayed due to logistical challenges, we have finally come as a team to establish a court of law for the defense forces of South Sudan in Wau,” he stated. “We came under Order Number 5/2024, and we are not here to discriminate or trample on anyone’s rights, but all people will be judged while their rights are upheld.”
For his part, Major General Jiel Mangok Yel, the Commander of the SSPDF’s Fifth Infantry Division based in Wau, said the court martial will work to ensure accountability and justice, especially in cases involving military personnel and civilians.
“We have so many crimes, and there are crimes that can be dealt with administratively, but there are some crimes that require court,” he stated. “In 2018, we managed to establish a mobile court to handle cases in the army, but every division is supposed to have its court martial.”
Gen. Mangok advised soldiers to treat civilians humanely because when they retire, they will return home and become civilians too.
“We, the soldiers wearing uniform now, also came from being civilians, and at the end of the day, we will go back to being civilians, so treat civilians well,” he advised.
Meanwhile, Stephen Robo Musa, the chairperson of the state civil society network, welcomed the establishment of the General Court Martial, saying it will deliver justice and pave the way toward respecting human rights.
“This is what we have been calling for, the rule of law. I thank the leaders of the country, the leaders of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, and the Division 5 commander for his firm stand in implementing his promises,” he said.
Robo pledged the civil society’s support for the work of the military court to guarantee justice and ensure the rule of law.
The court is set to hear 16 serious cases, including rape and murder cases among others, starting Wednesday.