South Sudan monitors urge review of SSPDF training policy after reports of civilian killings

JUBA — Ceasefire monitors are calling on the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) to review its training policy following allegations of soldiers killing and harassing civilians.

The call came from the head of the ceasefire monitoring body (CTSAM-VM), Major General Hailu Gonfa Eddosa, during a meeting in Juba on Wednesday.

He said that CTSAM-VM is investigating a number of reports, including some involving the harassment of civilians by military forces.

One of the most serious incidents, according to General Gonfa, involved the actions of SSPDF units during a disarmament exercise in Gondokoro in January.

“CTSAM-VM is concerned that one of the reports we will discuss today concerns another killing of unarmed civilians by SSPDF soldiers,” he said.

“Four out of the nine reports we discussed at the last meeting concerned similar incidents; the SSPDF must review the training of its soldiers and take action to stop these tragic occurrences,” he added

SSPDF representative to the body, Maj. Gen. Rabi Emmanuel admitted the allegations and said that the army will form a committee to probe the insecurities in Unity State as well as the alleged atrocities in Gondokoro island.

“We are also disappointed and not happy with the ongoing security situation in Unity State, including also the allegations at Kondokoro during the disarmament operation carried by the SSPDF forces,” he said.

This is not the first time that the SSPDF has been accused of human rights abuses.

In 2016, the United Nations accused government forces of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing during the country’s civil war.

The South Sudanese government has denied the allegations, but the UN has said that it has gathered “credible evidence” of abuses.

The latest reports of civilian killings are likely to further damage the reputation of the SSPDF and the South Sudanese government.

The international community has called for an end to the violence and for those responsible for human rights abuses to be held accountable.