South Sudan’s big whigs arrained in court for treason

The world’s newest state came close to all-out civil war on December 15 when soldiers from rival ethnic groups clashed in the capital Juba. While a ceasefire was struck on January 23, it has since been frequently violated and new talks have faltered. Thousands have died in nearly four months of fighting which was often fought along ethnic lines, according to the United Nations. Both sides are accused of carrying out atrocities.

The accused men were charged with nine offences, including spreading false information and inciting violence. They have previously denied plotting a military coup and their legal representative said they would also deny all the charges. The four in the dock were among 11 well-known political figures arrested days after fighting broke out and accused of plotting to overthrow President Salva Kiir’s government. The other seven were sent to Kenya after Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta offered to mediate talks between the rebels and Kiir. The prosecution wants the seven to be sent back to South Sudan so they could also be tried.

Charges read out related to evidence of their role in the alleged failed coup attempt in mid-December, which sparked violence across the country, and their participation in a 6 December press conference, in which they criticised Kiir’s leadership as being marked by corruption and tribal divisions. Telephone records were also presented allegedly showing individual discussions on strategies to depose president Kiir from power. Other evidence tendered to the court included documents seized after the arrest of some of the officials. Government witnesses brought to testify include interior minister Aleu Ayieny Aleu, as well as the director generals for internal and external security, Akol Koor Kuc and Thomas Duoth respectively. Major General Mac Paul from military intelligence was one of the witnesses testifying on behalf of the government.

Seven other political detainees were released in January and immediately left South Sudan for Kenya. The remaining four detainees have since remained in custody despite mounting international pressure for their release. An estimated 10,000 people have been killed and almost one million displaced since violence erupted between forces loyal to the Kiir-led government and rebels aligned with former vice-president Riek Machar.