SOUTH SUDAN: DOZENS OF SOLDIERS SENTENCED TO DEATH

September 23, 2016: Dozens of South Sudanese soldiers were sentenced to death over abuses committed during the renewed fighting flared up in the capital Juba between government troops and former rebels in July, APA reports quoting Anadolu Agency.
The United Nations last month had accused South Sudanese government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and former rebels backing opposition leader Riek Machar of ethnically-targeted atrocities, including extra judicial execution of civilians and rapes.
Army spokesman Brig. Lul Ruai Koang said: "Yes, the military court sentenced to death soldiers convicted of murders, rapes, including looting of civilians properties."
Koang, who spoke with Anadolu Agency via phone from Juba, said the convicted soldiers would be executed by firing squad.
According to a local media report, at least 70 soldiers were sentenced on September 23 afternoon for various crimes committed since the July violence.
Two others convicted of theft and rape, were sentenced to 14 years in prison, Koang said, adding that some soldiers were also demoted from their ranks in the army.
“The rest were convicted for looting, for selling their guns like AK-47 and PKM, and also selling their fuel that was supposed to be used by military tanks,” he added. (Sources: APA, 24/09/2016)