Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Barnaba Marial

The government says it has set up 3 committees to investigate reported cases of targeted killings in Juba since the violence began in mid-December.

Human Rights Watch reported last month that there is evidence showing that close to three hundred people have been killed in Juba, allegedly by security forces.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs says the committees have been established to verify reports of human rights abuse and look into reported targeted killing of civilians in the capital and other areas.

Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin told a gathering at the London-based think-tank forum Chatham House that the government has arrested one hundred suspects in connection with these incidents.

Dr. Marial called on Dr. Riek Machar to also investigate reports of targeted killings by forces loyal to him in Bor, Akobo and Bentiu.

“The government has formed an investigation unit led by former Chief Justice John Wuol, and also an investigation team in the army, as well as in the police in order to investigate these cases of targeted killings, and they will be brought to book,” said Dr Marial.

“We are asking the side of Riek Machar to identify those who also target others in their areas, so that these things can never be repeated.”

Dr. Marial denied claims that the reported targeted killings had been ordered by the government.

He said some undisciplined soldiers within the army had acted out of revenge after some of their relatives had been killed.

“Yes, some units within the army –as you know, soldiers sometimes they become undisciplined –some of them lost their friends and relatives, and thought if this is Dr. Riek’s coup, these are the guys…so they did target innocent citizens, and that has been condemned by the government,” he added.

Dr. Marial, called on the West to support political dialogue and national healing in South Sudan.

Dr. Barnaba Marial is expected to address the world media tonight on the crisis in the country and the way of the conflict.