A court in Juba has ruled that the Ministry of Defence and Veterans' Affairs must pay approximately $1.4 million in compensation to two victims who suffered injuries, property losses, and psychological harm during an armed confrontation near the residence of former intelligence chief General Akol Koor in November 2024. The ruling was delivered by Presiding Judge Ajok Tito Tilar in a case filed by Advocate Manawa Gabriel Mokwej and Agum Andria over the incident on 21 November 2024.
According to the plaintiffs' lawyer, Advocate Angelo Thon Pal, the confrontation occurred at around 7 p.m. near the residence of General Koor, who remains under house arrest. The court ordered the ministry to pay Mokwej $274,850 for medical expenses, the value of his vehicle, and other damages. Additionally, the court awarded Mokwej 30 head of cattle in connection with a disability assessed at 60 percent, according to a medical report, and $800,000 in compensation for moral and psychological harm.
The court also ordered the ministry to pay Agum Andria $81,170 for medical expenses, vehicle losses, and other damages, along with $300,000 for moral and psychological harm. The ruling was delivered after the plaintiffs presented their case, highlighting the severity of their injuries and losses. The court's decision marks a significant step towards providing justice to the victims of the armed confrontation.
Speaking after the ruling, Thon Pal said the next step would be to begin enforcement proceedings to ensure the ministry complies with the judgment. He said his legal team would open an execution file, after which the ministry would be summoned to implement the court's decision. The lawyer added that the court had mechanisms to enforce its judgments if the ministry failed to comply.
Thon Pal also referred to Article 20 of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, which guarantees the right to litigation, saying the plaintiffs had sought justice through the country's legal system. He expressed confidence that the ministry would comply with the court's ruling, citing presidential directives calling for compensation for victims of the incident.
The case concerns an armed confrontation near General Koor's residence on 21 November 2024, during which the two plaintiffs said they sustained injuries and suffered property losses. The incident has been a subject of concern, with many calling for accountability and justice for the victims. The court's ruling is seen as a significant step towards addressing the issue.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans' Affairs has been ordered to pay a total of $1.4 million in compensation to the two victims. The court's decision is expected to have implications for the ministry and other government agencies, highlighting the need for accountability and compensation for victims of similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The Juba court has ordered the Ministry of Defence to pay $1.4 million in compensation to two victims of an armed confrontation near the residence of former intelligence chief General Akol Koor in November 2024.
- The court's ruling marks a significant step towards providing justice to the victims of the armed confrontation, with the ministry expected to comply with the judgment.
- The incident has raised concerns about accountability and justice for victims of similar incidents in South Sudan, with the court's decision seen as a significant step towards addressing the issue.
