Museveni Tells Kiir to Prosecute Army Generals for War Crimes President Museveni wants senior officials in the South Sudan army who committed atrocities after the botched December 2013 coup plot tried in courts of law, Chimp Corps exclusively report. By Giles Muhame Museveni meeting Kiir at State House, Entebbe on April 8 Museveni meeting Kiir at State House, Entebbe on April 8 At a meeting at State House in Entebbe on April 8, Museveni told Kiir the UPDF were able to win support of the people because of its strict discipline. Museveni further gave examples of NRA rebel fighters who were publicly executed for acts of rape and murder during the 1981-86 bush war, saying tolerating abuses by the army perpetuates impunity and cultivates a fertile ground for rebellions. The Minister of state of Foreign Affairs in-charge of International Affairs, Okello Oryem confirmed the development. “Museveni told his South Sudan counterpart that he should isolate those who committed crimes and punish them expeditiously to stop impunity and show justice to their victims,” said the Minister. “The President further said the government of South Sudan should do this to restore confidence among its people.” Oryem made the remarks this week while meeting French Ambassador to Uganda Aline Kuster-Menager. The latest report comes high on the heels of mounting international pressure on Kiir to take a robust action against perpetrators of the violence in which thousands died as the SPLA repulsed Neur soldiers who intended to impose Riek Machar as the country’s leader. Oryem said Uganda supports expeditious punishment of culprits of crimes in South Sudan. President Salva Kiir recently visited Museveni at State House Entebbe to consult Museveni on UPDF troops in his country. Uganda was supposed to withdraw her troops by April 15, 2014 due to budgetary constraints. Minister Okello told his guest that President Museveni asked his counterpart to fast track the deployment of IGAD Force to allow UPDF withdrawal without leaving a vacuum. He said that President Museveni is concerned about stagnation of negotiations and the deployment of IGAG force. Thousands of South Sudanese have since fled into exile and others in UN refugee camps to escape the violence. Early this week, fighting resumed in the northern part of South Sudan with rebels taking over the oil town of Bentiu. Human Rights Watch recently reported that pro- and anti-government forces in South Sudan may have committed abuses that amount to war crimes. The wanton destruction and violence against civilians in this conflict is shocking, Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement in February. Military commanders from both sides have an obligation to immediately and unequivocally order their forces to stop attacking civilians and civilian property, and the commanders need to hold abusive soldiers to account, he said.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:50:43 +0000