The statement released by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) implicating Lakes and Warrap states authorities in extrajudicial executions of crime suspects has sparked a peaceful protest in Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State.
The protest, spearheaded by youth, was in solidarity with the state government denouncing the report they called “baseless”, “biased”, and “unfounded”.
This comes after the Lakes State government categorically dismissed the report released on Monday, July 26, revealing the extrajudicial executions of 42 people accused of committing crimes in the state.
According to the press release issued by UNMISS, the victims were not given an opportunity to a fair trial at the court of justice.
“Since March, UNMISS Human Rights Division has documented at least 14 incidents of extrajudicial killings in Warrap, resulting in the execution of 29 males, including boys and elderly men,” the report reads in part.
“The victims were allegedly removed from prison or police custody and brought before local officials for ‘sentencing.’ Eyewitnesses reported that some men were taken to remote areas, tied to trees and executed by firing squad. In some instances, their bodies were reportedly left on the trees as an example to the community,” a staggering part of the report continues.
The statement also claims that about 13 people had been summarily executed since mid-June 2021 on the instructions of the state officials in Cueibet and Lakes State and Rumbek East counties in Lakes State.
“This spate of extrajudicial executions is deeply disturbing,” said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Mr Nicholas Haysom. “People accused of crimes have the right to a fair trial as part of a formal judicial process. They should not be subjected to the random judgement of government or traditional leaders that they should be taken out and shot in front of their families and communities.”
Response
However, the government of Lakes State through a press statement said the report was unsubstantiated.
“In this regard, the government of Lakes State categorically dismiss UNMISS report as unfounded, baseless and bias. The State Government would want UNMISS to substantiate its report now and in the future to avoid misleading opinion and maintain responsible working relations with the State Government,” the statement by Acting of Minister of Information and Communication William Koji Kirjok stated.
On Tuesday, the youth in Rumbek of Lakes State took to the streets condemning the UNMISS press release saying since the new governor, Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor was installed, the security situation in the state improved drastically.
Lakes State has been ransacked by consistent inter-communal violence which are necessitated by cattle rustling by youth locally known as Gelweng.
UNMISS, which is the global mouthpiece on South Sudan’s political and social affairs, has been helping to build the capacity of rule of law institutions across the country to ensure a reduction in subnational violence and unlawful acts.
The mission also provides technical assistance while facilitating the deployment of the mobile courts where some of the courts use hybrid models to handle cases through the help of traditional leaders who act as assessors to advise the statutory judges on local customs.