South Sudan’s army has dismissed a human rights report on soldiers’ abuses against civilians during the disarmament exercise in Jonglei state.
Human Rights Watch published a report denouncing that SPLA soldiers raped, looted and mishandled civilians during the disarmament operations in restive Jonglei State.Army spokesperson Philip Aguer told the press Tuesday in Juba that a team of lawyers and judges followed the disarmament exercise, Bakhita Radio reported.
He said 31 soldiers are under arrest in Bor prison while the team investigates the accusations laid against them.
Colonel Aguer urged Human Rights Watch to cooperate with the army and the local authorities in Jonglei to verify the reports together.
He said the report is being use by opposition groups in Khartoum to steer troubles in Jonglei.
Colonel Aguer said the SPLA will continue the disarmament exercise in collaboration with local chiefs.
He said since the disarmament exercised started in March this year, the army collected 12,000 illegal guns from various communities in Jonglei.