Yei, 24 May, 2023 / 9:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Crimes that some members of the South Sudanese armed forces commit could be attributed to their lack of means due to poor and delayed remunerations, the Catholic Bishop South Sudan’s Yei Diocese has said, and urged the government to “treat the army well”.
Speaking during the launch of the first ever Military Court in Yei River County of Central Equatoria State that is served by his Episcopal See, Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo said responding to the needs of the military in good time can go a long way in motivating them, and preventing crime.
“Let us treat the army well to avoid problems because the reasons some members of the army are committing crimes is because they don't get what they want,” Bishop Lodiong said during the Monday, May 22 event.
He highlighted some of the manifestations of the challenges members of the military in South Sudan face, saying, “Some members of the army are walking barefoot, hungry, and going to the bush to make charcoal to take care of their families.”
“Such soldiers are ready to commit crimes because they want to earn a living,” the 52-year-old South Sudanese Catholic Bishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in May 2022 said.
