Participants posed for a photo after the Civil-military dialogue in Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria State. Credit: | Photo: CEPO.

A three-day civil-military dialogue in Kajo-Keji County has recommended justice and accountability for crimes against civilians by members of the armed forces.

The dialogue concluded with signing an agreement between the Kajo-Keji community and SSPDF’s Grand Force Battalion Two on the resolution of the civil-military relationship in the area.

In the resolutions, the two sides agreed to forgive each other on issues around civil-military differences.

They also agreed to live in harmony and respect one another as citizens with different responsibilities in accordance with the transitional constitution of the country.

The army battalion in Kajo-Keji also agreed to adhere to the SSPDF Act in all its activities to protect the communities – without harassment and intimidation in accordance with the interim constitution.

Paul Pitia Yugusuk, the Archbishop of Central Equatoria Internal Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan read out the resolutions of the dialogue on Thursday.

“The leadership of the grand force shall take appropriate disciplinary measures on officers and NCOs [noncommission officers] who will commit a crime in the community such as killing and rape,” Archbishop reads out part of the resolutions on Thursday.

“Any community member who commits any crime shall be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Sudan.”

For his part, the Project Manager for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization or CEPO appealed to both the military and local authorities to bring to book all the perpetrators of different incidents.

Moses Putia adds that there is a need for justice, accountability, and the rule of law in Kajo-Keji.

Meanwhile, the SSPDF commander for Ground Force, Battalion 2, Gen. Malong Agat said peaceful co-existence is core in any mediation between civilians and the military.

The dialogue further resolved that state and county authorities continue to dialogue with neighboring communities on boundary and land issues.

It is facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.