The commander of the SSPDF’s 5th Infantry Division based in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, Major General Jiel Mangok Yel, said their officer who was in charge at Kubri-Ngab in Jur River County when soldiers abused civilians in February has been arrested in Abyei.
In February, government security forces comprising national security personnel and elements of the SSPDF were deployed in the Kubri-Ngab area following clashes between government troops and SPLA-IO forces. However, the government forces were accused of serious human rights violations, including torture, arbitrary arrests, and sexual violence against civilians. They also burned down a local market and looted civilian property.
According to Gen. Mangok, the detained officer who he did not name is currently in custody in Abyei awaiting transfer to Wau to face justice.
“There were people who were doing bad things like what had happened in Kubri-Ngab where there were reports of rape. We talked about this raping during our security meetings and we identified the officer who was commanding,” he said. “He is currently in Abyei under arrest, and we will again go and sit in a security meeting to see the process of how he will be brought here to come and defend himself before the law. If he knows those who committed such crimes, let him bring them, and if he does not produce them, he will face the law.”
“For those whose daughters were raped, be ready while we pursue justice,” Gen. Mangok added.