By Philip Buda Ladu
As the United Nations alarms of potential relapse into full-scale civil war due to escalating political tensions, the South Sudan Law Society (SSLS) convened a stakeholders’ briefing to discuss the Geneva Conventions.
The SSLS organized the briefing to educate stakeholders on the four Geneva Conventions, which form the core of international humanitarian law governing the treatment of individuals during armed conflicts.
These conventions are codified in South Sudan’s Geneva Conventions Act 2012.
Specifically, the conventions address protection of wounded soldiers on land, protection of wounded soldiers at sea or in shipwrecks, the protection of prisoners of war, and the Protection of civilians in times of war.
These treaties aim to uphold human dignity and minimize suffering for those affected by conflict, particularly non-combatants.
Gasper Mule, an advocate with SSLS—a national NGO promoting the rule of law and access to justice—explained that the briefing aimed to raise awareness of the Geneva Conventions and the 2012 Act.
The workshop focused on the progress and challenges in implementing these laws in South Sudan and sought to develop strategies for increased awareness and improved implementation.
“As we engage in conflict, it’s crucial to remember South Sudan’s commitment to international conventions and national laws regulating warfare,” Mule stated. “Our role is to remind the country of these obligations during times of crisis, especially given the rising tensions and ongoing conflicts in some regions.”
He emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and their property during conflict, highlighting the relative obscurity of the Geneva Conventions Act 2012.
“To be honest, the Geneva Conventions Act 2012 has largely remained on the shelves,” Mule said. “It’s rare to hear stakeholders, even those involved in implementation, discuss it. We need to bring it to the forefront.”
The SSLS plans to initiate monitoring of the military justice system’s implementation of the conventions.
“Following this discussion, we will engage with the Department of Military Justice to assess their progress, challenges, and support needs in raising awareness and ensuring effective implementation,” Mule further explained.
Major Peter Morbe, Chief of Administration in the Directorate of Military Justice, affirmed their commitment to addressing criminal and disciplinary issues within the military.
He cited the use of mobile courts to handle cases involving soldiers and stressed the importance of adhering to the Geneva Conventions in battlefield conduct and civilian protection.
“The world is watching us, especially those in uniform, to ensure we conduct ourselves according to the Geneva Conventions,” Morbe said, emphasizing the need for increased training for soldiers deployed in crisis areas.
Lt. Col. Harriet Fozia Ginaba, an SSPDF officer and Executive Director of South Sudan Women in Security Sector, acknowledged the Geneva Conventions as the global law of warfare protecting civilians and their properties.
She pledged to share her knowledge with fellow officers and advocated for expanded training and awareness programs across all ten states and three administrative areas.
“Many women in uniform are not fully aware of the Geneva Conventions,” Fozia stated. “This training and awareness must reach all organized forces and civilians. It’s my first time learning about this international law in depth.”
She underscored the fundamental principle of protecting civilians and providing healthcare to the injured during conflict.
“It is really important for us as military personnel to protect our civilians and also give healthcare to those who are injured,” she concluded.
The stakeholders’ briefing workshop on the Geneva Convention and South Sudan Geneva Convention Act, 2012 organized by the SSLS with support from UN Women drew together officials from the Ministry of Defense,
Ministry of Justice, members of the organized forces and civil society human rights organizations’ representatives.