South Sudan’s military has opened a landmark court martial in Wau, the capital of Western Bahr El Ghazal, to prosecute serious crimes committed by members of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF). The proceedings, which began this week, mark a major step toward security sector reform and restoring civilian trust in the armed forces. The General Court Martial, led by Lieutenant General Sten Kamilo Mboro, is set to hear 28 cases—including 15 involving serious charges such as rape, murder, and armed robbery. The initiative follows years of allegations of impunity and abuse by military personnel, particularly in remote and conflict-affected regions.
“There will be accountability for everyone, regardless of rank,” Gen. Mboro said during the court’s opening session. “Our soldiers must act in line with the laws of this country. No one is above the law.” Civil society leaders and human rights organizations have welcomed the trials as a rare but crucial attempt to deliver justice for victims and signal a cultural shift within the SSPDF.
Louiza Wilson, a legal representative working with victims, emphasized the importance of providing survivors with legal and psychological support “Many victims are still afraid to testify. Our task is to protect them through the entire judicial process—from the first hearing to the final verdict,” she said. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is offering technical and logistical support for the hearings, part of a broader effort to promote justice, accountability, and community engagement in security sector reform.
A civilian-military dialogue is scheduled for July 6 to ensure that local communities understand the proceedings and to encourage broader participation in the justice process. This court martial comes amid South Sudan’s fragile transition period following the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. The trials are being closely watched as a measure of the SSPDF’s willingness to reform and uphold the rule of law.
