South Sudan ex-army chiefs involved in horrific killings – report
Former South Sudan military chiefs, General Gabriel Jok Riak (right) and General Paul malong Awan (left) seen at a ceremony in Juba in 2015 (Photo credit: unknown)
May 27, 2020 (SSNN) – Two South Sudan army chiefs have been involved in gross human rights violations during their tenures, a new report by the US-based firm, The Sentry, has found.
The report titled: “Making a Killing” also accused four South Sudan army chiefs including Malong, Jok Riak, Hoth Mai and Oyai Deng Ajak of corruption practices without accountability .
“South Sudan’s last four army chiefs of staff, four high-ranking military leaders, and three opposition militia leaders have engaged in business activities indicative of money laundering and corruption,” The Sentry said in a report obtained by South Sudan News Now (SSNN).
“Many of these men share personal or commercial ties with President Salva Kiir, who regularly intervenes in legal proceedings targeting his staunchest friends and allies,” the report said.
It said two of the army chiefs (Gen. Paul Malong Awan, Gabriel Jok Riak) “have led troops who committed grave human rights violations, starting with the December 2013 mass atrocities in Juba that launched a long and bloody civil war.”
“Except for Hoth Mai and [Oyai Deng] Ajak, these men have committed egregious human rights violations with near total impunity since the country’s independence, according to the United Nations and the African Union.
“Each of these military figures has corporate holdings in South Sudan with possible conflicts of interest, connections to the international financial system, or indicators of corruption and money laundering.
“Most secured top government posts after commanding troops who committed major abuses, and some have been shareholders in corporations publicly linked to corruption scandals.”
Malong was South Sudan’s army chief from 2014 to May 2017, he was briefly replaced with General Ajongo Mawut who later died and replaced with General gabriel Jok Riak who was dismissed by Kiir on May 11 2020.
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