United Nations Mission in South Sudan or UNMISS said perpetrators of violence against civilians at Terrain Hotel are accountable for their crimes.
The finding of a Military Court that ten soldiers were guilty delivered justice for the survivors and the family of the journalist murdered in the attack, it pointed out in a statement on Thursday.
UNMISS said ‘the victims and survivors of this horrific attack in July 2016 deserved justice and that has been served today’.
The verdicts will not take away the pain and suffering caused by the acts of violence carried out by these criminals after been held publicly accountable, reads part of the statement.
‘The outcome of the trial also sends a powerful message to other would-be offenders, including members of the armed forces that they will be prosecuted and punished for such violence’, it added.
The statement said witnesses and survivors demonstrated true courage and patience by participating in the judicial process since May 2017.
The Missions stressed that there remains the broader problem of widespread sexual and gender-based violence against South Sudanese women and children.
UNMISS is committed to work with authorities in South Sudan to address some of the challenges observed during the trial.
It pledged to support efforts to improve the independence and effectiveness of the justice system so that more victims of sexual and other violence can also have their day in court.
The Military Court charged the soldiers were with lengthy prison terms for murder, rape and other crimes and ordered the government to pay damages to the victims.