JUBA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A military court in the western South Sudanese town of Wau has sentenced a member of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) to 10 years in prison for the abduction and murder of a national staff member with the United Nations (UN) Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the UN body said on Friday.
The General Court Martial also ordered the soldier's demotion and dismissal from the military, along with an order to pay compensation of 51 head of cattle to the victim's family.
According to the UNMISS statement, the convicted soldier retains the right to appeal.
"This judgment is a milestone in efforts to ensure accountability for crimes against United Nations personnel in South Sudan," Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of UNMISS, said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
The murder took place on Dec. 15, 2025, in the Hai Masna area of Western Bahr el Ghazal State while the staff member was on official duty.
UNMISS expressed condolences to the victim's family and commended their active participation in the judicial process, as well as the witnesses who provided crucial testimony.
The court martial in Wau recently heard 10 cases, delivering judgments in eight that resulted in four convictions and four acquittals of SSPDF personnel.
According to UNMISS, other cases remain under investigation or are being prepared for trial.
Since its establishment on July 9, 2011, UNMISS has recorded the deaths of 19 peacekeepers and injuries to 32 others due to malicious acts, the mission stated. ■
