The South Sudanese army has announced that several soldiers, including two officers, will face a court martial over the killing of civilians in Jonglei State last month, amid rising violence in parts of the country.
Army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang said the suspects, who have been arrested, will be formally charged in the capital, Juba, before appearing before a military court.
Those facing trial reportedly include a major and several non-commissioned officers allegedly linked to the February 21 attack in Ayod County, where at least 25 civilians—including women and children—were killed, according to opposition sources.
Koang stated that the soldiers involved allegedly left their base without authorization from their division commander.
Authorities attributed the attack to elements associated with Johnson Olony, who had previously been filmed ordering troops to “spare no lives” during operations in Jonglei.
Officials said the soldiers were part of a militia group aligned with opposition forces that had not been fully integrated into the national army despite provisions in the 2018 peace agreement that ended the civil war between Salva Kiir Mayardit and opposition leader Riek Machar.
The incident reflects the growing security challenges in the country, as clashes between government and opposition-linked forces have intensified, particularly in eastern Jonglei State.
The United Nations reported that at least 280,000 people have been displaced since December due to the ongoing unrest.
The army expressed regret over the civilian deaths and reiterated that the primary responsibility of its personnel is to protect civilians and safeguard property.
Meanwhile, church leaders have raised concerns over the deteriorating security situation. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sudan and South Sudan recently called on authorities to strengthen civilian protection and promote dialogue following another wave of violence in Abiemnom County near the Sudan border, where at least 169 people were reported killed.
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