At least five people who are among victims of the 2016 conflict who opened a case against military personnel for committing different atrocities received compensation on Thursday at the Court Martial in Yei.
The amount for the compensation ranges from 300,0000SSP to 1.5million South Sudanese pounds.
In 2019 the general court martial started prosecution of soldiers who committed crimes against civilians during the 2016 crisis.
The soldiers were prosecuted for different crimes including rape, beating and killing of innocent civilians in the areas of Yei River County.
Speaking at the army barracks on Thursday head chief of Lasu Payam, Alex Kenyi appreciated the government for sending the court martial to try soldiers who acted against the law.
He revealed that since military court trial started, the rate of rape cases reduced drastically in his area.
“Since the military court martial was sent to Yei, cases of rape reduced I call upon all of us to unite and work together and let trial of the accused soldiers for committing atrocities against the civil population continue,” the head chief appealed.
One of those compensated Sunday appreciated the good will by the government for making sure that citizens get justice through the right procedure.
She called for respect of humanity and rule of law to prevail in order for such cases to reduce completely in the near future.
“I want to thank our government of South Sudan for listening to the cry of women. We have suffered so much during the conflict. We have been raped, others killed and property looted. The little cash the government has given will help us. for those who did not hear the information, let them also come and receive their compensation for the atrocities committed against them,” the woman said.
SSPDF commander John Lual pledges to bring civilians closer to the military in order to build trust and harmonize their relationship.
He thanked the president for allowing the court martial to reach Yei to try the military personnel who committed atrocities against the civil population.
“As government, we want to bring our civilians close to us want to thank our president for accepting the military court martial to be in Yei to try the military who acted against the laws of the country during the crisis. I also want to thank the chief of defense forces for working hard for the court martial to reach Yei,” He applauds.
Meanwhile SPLM secretary for information and communication in Yei River County, Michael Ramadan termed the process as beginning of justice to the people of Yei.
He thanked the leadership of the brigade commander of the SSPDF for ensuring that justice is served to the victims of conflict in the region.
“This process is the beginning of justice that the people of Yei are witnessing because we have been waiting for a long period of time to see justice prevail in Yei River County. I appreciate the leadership of brigadier Lual for making sure that justice prevails in Yei County”, He reiterated.
The amount for the compensation ranges from 300,0000SSP to 1.5million South Sudanese pounds. However, due to money constraints, some of the victims received 50,000 and 150,000SSP only and their balance will be paid instalment.
