Some of displaced civilians from Gondokoro in Juba County following disarmament exercise in the area -Credit: Madrama James/Eye Radio

The joint disarmament force in Gondokoro Payam of Juba County were involved in human rights abuses including arrests, torture and extortion of civilians in December 2023, the ceasefire monitors CTSAM-VM said.

But SSPDF spokesperson, Major General Lul Ruai Koang said there was no need for the report as the army took swift actions against the perpetrators.

The report obtained by Eye Radio on Tuesday was based on an investigation conducted in Gondokoro following serious allegations made on January 3, 2024, by the local head chief, and the subsequent statement by Bari Community in Juba on the situation.

The investigation featuring witness and government official accounts indicates that about 20 civilians were arrested on 31 December 2023 and on 1st January 2024 on accusations of being affiliated with the National Salvation Front of General Thomas Cirillo.

CTSAM-VM said the arrested individuals, including the Executive Chief, a Sub-chief and several youths, were taken to Molobur Military Base and held for days until 3rd January 2024.

The ceasefire monitors said the detained civilians were badly treated and threatened, before being forced to pay 25,000 pounds each to be released.

“CTSAM-VM was told by both chiefs involved that a total of 900,000 SSP were handed over in order to secure the release of all those arrested,” the report reads in part.

The investigation also alleges that the disarmament force fined local residents and chiefs who handed over their rifles with varying sums between 100,000 SSP and 200 US dollars for illegal possession of weapons.

“Two subchiefs were beaten and charged a total of 6 goats and 230,000 SSP when they handed over their rifles. CTSAMVM was given other accounts of blatant extortion by disarmament forces with goats and money taken.”

Reacting to the report, SSPDF spokesperson said he wonders why CTSAM-VM released the report when the army has already taken actions including arresting the commander responsible for the violations.

Major General Lul Ruai said the ceasefire monitor is repeating “the same old stories” adding that the Minister of Defense and the Inspector General of Police already expressed their regrets over the violations.

“There were a lot of apologies, first from the Honorable Minister of Defense, from the commander of force of disarmament and from the Inspector General of Police to all those who have been affected negatively,” Lul said.

“We went as far as forming a committee to find out whether the accusations leveled against the service men were correct.”

“We used some of the things said by the locals, and as a result the colonel who was in charge of the disarmament in Gondokoro was arrested. So there is no reason for CTSAM to lecture us on what to do.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Juba County Charles Joseph Wani is appealing to the governor of Central Equatoria state to make efforts to return the lost properties or compensate civilians for their losses.

“What belong to people must be given back to the people, last time after the report came out, I talked to the governor of Central Equatoria state that these people whatever taken from them must be returned back.”

“If it is cattle, money and the goat, all these things must be given back. If at all the SSPDF could not provide all that, let the government of Central Equatoria state, in coordination with the SSPDF make some effort to give back the properties.”

– Beating and torture –

CTSAM-VM said its investigation team was given firsthand accounts of beating and torture against civilians during the New Year’s Eve disarmament exercise.

The ceasefire monitors said several sources including a youth leader, traditional leaders and other victims recounted being “whipped” some with iron bars.

The peace monitor said it was also shown photographs of some of the resultant wounds. “Victims also described being brutally tied with ropes on both legs and hands with a wooden plank across their knees as a form of torture,” the investigation said.

CTSAM-VM also said it was given substantial evidence of “significant looting” particularly of food, money, goats and alcohol from civilians in the area.

– Displacement and disruption –

The investigation noted that the activities of the disarmament force led to the temporary displacement of a large number of civilians who fled in fear on the Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

It was indicated in the report that a mixed force was deployed in Gondokoro to carry out the disarmament exercise from 24th December 2023 to 3rd January 2024.

According to the investigation, the first disarmament was peaceful, while the deployment of the second group led to a chaotic process with allegations of violence, torture, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and theft.

CTSAM-VM said most of the witnesses that it interviewed reported that many of the personnel involved with the disarmament operation were “drunk”.

“There is no doubt that the disarmament forces under the command of major General Ruach Tap were ill-disciplined, badly led ad untrained,” it noted.

“CTSAMVM has first-hand evidence that officers including a major and a Captain were directly involved in extortion, threats, violence and theft.”

The ceasefire body concluded that the actions of the disarmament forces in Gondokoro and Molobur between 24 December 2023 and 3 January 2024 were in violation of the R-ARCSS.

– Peace violations – 

The body mandated by the 2018 peace deal said the head of disarmament force, Major Ruach Tap, violated article 2.2.3.1, when his troops occupied the Gondokoro Primary School and used it as a temporary military headquarters.

CTSAMVM said articles 2.1.10.7.4 and 2.1.10.7.5 of the agreement were also violated when the disarmament force subjected civilians to beatings, extortion, theft and illegal arrest.

It added that the attempted rape of the two women by members of the SSPDF disarmament forces constituted a clear violation of the R-ARCSS, specifically Article 2.1.10.2 and a failure to comply with Article 2.1. 10..7.5.

Further, it said by deploying ill-disciplined, insufficiently trained and badly led troops on a sensitive operation in a civilian area in the SSPDF failed in its obligations to protect civilians as specified in the R-ARCSS Article 2.1.10.7.4.

“It is apparent there are still some officers in the SSPDF who remain ignorant of their obligations under the R-ARCSS to protect civilians. The behavior of the soldiers involved with the disarmament operation in Gondokoro was unacceptable by any standards.”

“It is difficult to understand where they got lists of suspected rebels which included officials, and which were used as justification for violent, coercive and illegal acts against civilians.”

“It is also difficult to understand how the operation went ahead without advice from the county commissioner’s office and liaison with organized force on the ground- the wildlife force and the SSPDF Riverine force.”

CTSAMVM said it is encouraging that an investigation was established, and that disciplinary action is reportedly being against the SSPDF personnel involved.

CTSAMVM recommends that efforts must be made to find and return the goods and money stolen from the people in Gondokoro Payam.

It said this is in a bid to try and restore confidence in the SSPDF in particular and the security services in general.

It also said the finding of the investigation chaired by the state security advisor be made public.

“Those officers responsible for what happened in Gondokoro over Christmas and the New Year are to be held to account and the results of SSPDF disciplinary action be made public.”