South Sudan Soldiers to Face Court Martial Over Civilian Massacre in Jonglei

South Sudanese soldiers, including two officers, will face a court martial over the killing of at least 25 civilians in Ayod County amid rising clashes between government and opposition forces in Jonglei State. The soldiers, linked to a partially integrated militia, acted without authorization. The move follows calls from the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference to protect civilians, promote dialogue, and ensure accountability.

South Sudanese soldiers, including two officers, are set to face a court martial over a civilian massacre that occurred last month, army officials confirmed on Wednesday. The announcement comes amid rising insecurity in the country, where clashes between government forces and opposition groups have intensified, particularly in eastern Jonglei State. The United Nations reports that at least 280,000 people have been displaced in the region since December, highlighting the growing humanitarian crisis.
The deadly incident in question took place on February 21 in Ayod County, Jonglei State, where at least 25 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed. Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang told AFP that two officers, including a major, along with several non-commissioned officers, have been arrested in connection with the killings. They are expected to face charges in the capital, Juba, and will subsequently be arraigned before a competent military court martial to determine their accountability for the actions that led to the civilian deaths.
Koang attributed the violence to “some elements” under the command of General Johnson Olony, who was captured on video in January instructing troops to “spare no lives” during operations in Jonglei State. According to Koang, the soldiers involved in the killings acted without the knowledge or authorization of their division commander. He further explained that the perpetrators were part of a militia group allied to opposition forces, portions of which had not yet been fully integrated into the South Sudanese army.
The issue of military integration has been a longstanding challenge in South Sudan. It was a key component of the 2018 peace agreement that officially ended the country’s five-year civil war between President Salva Kiir and his former rival, Riek Machar. However, the integration process was never fully implemented, leaving elements of militia forces partially separate from the formal military structure. The lack of full integration has contributed to sporadic violence and operational challenges, especially in volatile regions like Jonglei State.
Koang expressed regret over the civilian deaths and emphasized the army’s commitment to its mandate, stating, “We would like to once again remind our forces that their mandate is to protect civilians and their property, not to do the opposite.” He urged troops to adhere strictly to their responsibilities and to avoid actions that could harm the very populations they are tasked with safeguarding.
The announcement of the court martial follows an urgent appeal from the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which condemned the recent civilian killings not only in Ayod but also in Abiemnom County near the Sudan border. In that incident, at least 169 people were reportedly killed on Sunday, illustrating the widespread nature of violence and insecurity in the country. In a statement, the bishops called on authorities to deploy necessary resources to protect vulnerable populations, foster a climate of dialogue and reconciliation, and provide support and consolation to those affected by the violence.
The situation underscores the ongoing fragility of South Sudan’s transitional peace and the difficulties faced in enforcing civilian protection and accountability. Analysts and humanitarian observers warn that without effective integration of armed groups and stricter enforcement of military discipline, such incidents could continue, further destabilizing the country and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The court martial proceedings against the arrested soldiers and officers are seen as a critical step toward upholding justice, reinforcing military accountability, and signaling the government’s commitment to protecting civilians in conflict-prone areas.