Extrajudicial killings in Mayom, Unity state: The Blatant Violations of the Geneva Convention for Prisoners of War in South Sudan

By Ustaz. Morris Mabior Awikjok, Nairobi, Kenya

Thursday, 11 August 2022 (PW) — Mr. President, the entire nation, the region and the international community are deeply concerned and shocked about the trending images and videos regarding the extrajudicial killing of opposition senior officers belonging to the SSPLM/A in Mayom, Unity state. The decision of this unlawful and horrifying extrajudicial killing of prisoners of war victims by Advisor on National Security Affairs in collaboration with Unity State Governor without your consent or knowledge, the SSPDF GHQRs, is totally a violation of international law and the Geneva Convention.

There’s nowhere in this world where legitimate leaders serving in the democratic system victimized their opposition through fire squad shootings and burning others alive to death without due process of the law and without knowledge from higher authorities at the national level. The summary execution of three officers through the firing squad and burning alive is a violation of the principles of humanity and the National government should take further steps to investigate the heinous act in Mayom, Unity state. 

Your Excellency, respect for deliberate human rights lies at the heart of good governance. In a democratic society like the Republic of South Sudan under your leadership, It is the responsibility of the state to protect and promote human rights. All state institutions, whether they are the police services, the army, the judiciary, or civil administration, have a duty to respect human rights, prevent human rights violations, and take active steps for the promotion of human rights.

In this respect, it is very unfortunate to see public figures in the person of Hon. Tut Gatluak Mianime and Hon. Dr. Nguen Monytuil takes the laws of the state into their own hands to carry out unlawful acts and inhumane killing in the eyes of the whole world. These unprofessional actions and misbehaviours have tarnished and spoiled our reputations in the eyes of the entire region and the world at large.

I condemn this barbaric act in the strongest possible terms and request your Excellency, kindly take bold action against Tut and Nguen Monytuil to clean up our image as a nation as soon as possible. This is a total shame for us as a nation.

Unfortunately, many times, while discharging your duty as a legitimate leader, actions of such a mentality need to be treated with urgency. The world is very much concerned about getting quick results, often with unofficial guarantees that they may use any means possible to accomplish the task at hand.

However, sometimes such elements in your government abuse their power in your name and in the name of “crossfire or extrajudicial killing,” which is a violation of human rights and frequently occurs in the Republic of South Sudan. In the recent incident which occurred yesterday in Mayom, the Unity state is seen by the entire world.

The main objective of this article is to request Your Excellency to relieve Tut Gatluak and Dr. Nguen Monytuil from duty, investigate them and send them to court immediately. They have tarnished the sovereignty of our country.

IF YOU ARE A NON-NUER SPEAKER, HERE IS THE FULL TRANSCRIBED CONVERSATION BETWEEN LATE GATLUAK MAJIOK AND THE SOLDIERS A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE HE WAS BURNED TO DEATH.

Gatluak Majiok started by wishing the country well and concluded by warning his executors to be vigilant as his men will revenge.

GATLUAK: I don’t have any problem, I just wish you to remain in peace but please protect our country.
you the youths do not allow the elders to freely misbehave, declare war and fight them if necessary.

SSPDF: stop lying.

GATLUAK: Yes, you can be denied because you have been bribed but I know you will come to your sense once the money paid to bribe you is over.

SSPDF: Can I tie the handcuff together with the rope……
SSPDF: Yes, because the handcuff will not be burnt, please you tie both legs.

GATLUAK: You guys just use the ropes to tie me, the handcuffs will help you during your operation.

SSPDF: No, we have plenty of them.

GATLUAK: You stop this madness. I will not run away. the whole of me Gatluak to run, no?

SSPDF: Why are you talking too much?

SSPDF: Chidong, what are you doing with that rope?

GATLUAK: Allows him to bring it so that he can tie it to my left leg.

Gatluak: Why are you like jinja beer my friend Gatnyatuoroaah?

SSPDF: Am very annoyed, the men you have killed from our clan are really great men.

GATLUAK: But you are fingerpointing at me. is this revenge or you are acting in your capacity as a soldier implementing government directives?
GATLUAK: If it is a government directive Mr. Wicgoal cannot fingerprint me.
stop this nonsense of talking about your strong men, if I got you that day you would be dead by now.

SSPDF (Mr Wichgoal): If I was there, I would not be moved in that car, it was just because I came in a plane, I would have searched for you because I know you are hiding in those bushes, we would have fought seriously.

GATLUAK: Look how difficult its to arrest Gatluak Majiok, you can compare the scenario of my arrest to the arrest of Gatluak Manguel. you see how you are panicking.

GATLUAK: Please be vigilant, the bushes are full of my guys. they will finish you one by one.

SSPDF: You are lying.

Gatluak: Who is that standing at the door-side like someone who has polluted? Are you Gatnyatuoroaah?

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