South Sudan’s government has rejected a recent report by Human Rights Watch that accuses government troops and allied militia from the Bul Nuer of committing war crimes in Unity State in April.
In a 42-page report based on more than 170 survivor interviews, the group’s researchers documented massive forced displacement of populations as well as killing of civilians, including through shooting, beating, hanging and burning people alive.
The human rights group said that government forces and allied militia from the Bul Nuer group committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity beginning in April when they launched an offensive through southern Unity.
The report also alleged gang rapes and abductions of women and children for forced labor, in addition to stealing of cattle and destruction of food and humanitarian supplies.
Presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny said Wednesday that the report was based on accounts that do not reflect the reality on the ground and that the government rejects its findings.
He stressed that the government will not hesitate to take any member of the army to court if he has been proven that he committed war crimes or crimes against humanity.
Government army spokesperson Col. Philip Aguer said the recent report accusing the army of perpetrating atrocities is similar to the previous report compiled by the United Nations in April.
He told Radio Tamazuj that the recent report interviewed people who are sheltering inside the UN base in Bentiu town, saying it did not include other parties.
However, the spokesman said they welcome any investigation involving international organizations.
Photo (private): burned homes in Nhialdiu, Unity state following the government’s offensive
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Generals should be investigated for war crimes: HRW (22 Jul.)