The South Sudan People’s Defence Force – SSPDF has finally come out to make a comment on the summary execution of three rebel officers belonging to the South Sudan People’s Movement/Army – SSPM/A on Monday morning.

The trio, according to Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang the SSPM leader included Major General Nyuon Garang, Major General Pur Ruop Kuol and Brigadier General Gatluak Majok. They were arrested by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan and repatriated to South Sudan before being executed in Mayom County of Unity State.

“What happened is that three of our officers went to Al-Fula town in Sudan’s West Kordofan to see their families and buy medicines for our wounded. A security adviser in South Sudan reported it to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and our officers were arrested in Al-Fula,” Gen. Buay said.

“On Sunday, our officers were transported through the Heglig border to South Sudan and handed over to the governor of Unity state on 7 August.  So, the officers were summarily executed on Monday morning at an area called Kaikang,” he added.

“Those officers were killed without any due process of law. The government could have just put them in jail or produced them before a court of law instead of extrajudicial killings,” he said.

SSPDF Speaks Out

While appearing on South Sudanese local radio station Eye Radio on Tuesday morning, SSPDF Spokesperson Gen Lul Ruai Koang didn’t deny the claims of the SSPM leader but rather promised that thorough investigation into the matter.

According to Gen Lul, the Chief of Defense Forces directed an investigation into the incident to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable, saying the incident is unacceptable.

“The SSPDF general Headquarters saw the same pictures, we just had the consultations. I was directed by the chief of the defense forces that a thorough investigation is going to be carried out so that we know exactly who gave the order of the killing to be carried out,” he said.

“It had not been part of our legacy, we during the SPLA, were known for capturing prisoners of war, taking care of them, treating them humanly, and in most cases, they were treated in accordance with the Geneva Convention,

“What we have witnessed in Mayom County of Unity State is unacceptable, the chief of defense forces has promised that a thorough investigation is going to be carried out and those who are behind the killing are going to be held accountable,” Gen Lul said.