The spokesman of the military led by General Salva Kiir claims that the commander accused of heading a recruitment drive that swept up hundreds of children in Upper Nile State has been summoned to headquarters for a “briefing” on the matter.
“The investigations have already started since last week. SPLA Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Lt-Gen. Ajonga Mawut has summoned General Johnson Olony to come to SPLA headquarters in Juba,” Brig-General Philiip Aguer told Radio Tamazuj today.
However, Radio Tamazuj was informed of the supposed summons last week and since then it has apparently gone unfulfilled. General Kiir has not commented publicly on the matter.
Olony’s second in command, Brigadier James Bugo, outright denied the claims of child recruitment when contacted by Radio Tamazuj last week.
According to Brig-Gen. Aguer, however, joint investigations of the military and UNICEF are still ongoing. “There is going to be an ad hoc committee that will be sent to Malakal in cooperation with the UNICEF. The committee will be comprised of SPLA, UNICEF and any other UN agency working in the area of child protection,” he said.
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