By Gladys Kole
The press Secretary in the office of the Governor of Unity, Peter Bakuony has confirmed that Dr. Joseph Manytuil has received and retorted to the United Nations panel of experts on South Sudan letter asking him to present his account on Mayom extrajudicial execution.
Speaking to No.1 Citizen Newspaper, Bakuony said his boss received the letter and he had already submitted feedback to the UN panel of experts regarding unfortunate Mayom extrajudicial execution incident.
“It is already direct, if you read that letter, he [Manytuil] is directed to respond and reply back through their email – the way they want it to be,” he said
“Manytuil has already replied and sent back the feedback to the panel.” He affirmed.
Bakuony was reacting to a letter written by UN through coordinator of the panel’s expert on South Sudan, David Biggs asking governor Manytuil to provide his position to a panel’s report on Mayom extrajudicial killing.
“The panel would like to make sure that it’s reporting is informed by all perspectives. We would be grateful if you confirm and clarify the circumstances around these specific incidents” it stated
“We would also be grateful for any additional clarification or comment you may wish to offer on these,” partly reads UN letter addressed to governor Manytuil and Seen by No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper.
UN letter dated November 4, 2022 urged the governor of Unity State to respond in writing by November 18 datelines, which is before publishing the report in December.
“Interview conducted by panel and document obtained by the panel indicate that forces and civilian authorities under your command participated in the extrajudicial execution of four individuals affiliated with the SSPM/A opposition armed group in the Mayom region of Unity State in July 2022,” the panel preliminary report pointed.
The UN stated that evidence gotten by the panel indicated that governor Manytuil and his office played a prominent role in organizing those executions, rallying soldiers and inciting military action against civilians.
On July 22, 2022, bandits loyal to Stephen Buay allegedly infiltrated Mayom town in a morning attack and they killed the county Commissioner, Chuol Gatluak Manime.
Manime is the brother to Tut Gatluak, the presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs.
Four days later, on July 26, 2022, the same rebels ambushed a three vehicle convey of SSPDF and killed scores of servicemen along with two civilians.
A day later, on July 27, an SSPDF mobile infantry unit attacked bandits’ hideouts at Manyang, Kuerdit and Bonwier. SSPDF claimed that they neutralized 65 soldiers from the operation and recovered 9 AKM-47 assault rifles.
Following a military operation in Sudan, four SSPM/A commander Stephen Buay, Gatluak Majiok, Nyuon Garang Kuol, Pur Ruop Kuol and Dhoal Barpuoal Tap were arrested and handed over to South Sudanese authorities.
However, a video circulating on social media saw, soldiers executing the three via firing squad, while setting Brig. Gen. Gatluak Majiok Liey on fire in a hut to retaliate the killing of Mayom County Commissioner
The suspects were blindfolded before about a dozen soldiers opened fire on them at the command of perceived senior officers.
It’s unclear who authorized the firing with army leadership distancing itself, citing that they did not sanction the unlawful killing.
SSPDF spokesperson, Major General Lul Ruai Koang in a response earlier said that an investigative committee was to be formed to carefully probe the incident, and arrest those who masterminded the fire shootings. But up to date no report of the said investigation has been brought to the public domain.