Juba Watch Dogs Watching Power and Telling Truths
Opinion: Leadership Must Be Accountable for the Lives Lost
The testimony presented before the Special Court by Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam has drawn significant public attention. He told the court that he was subjected to torture, harsh detention conditions, and degrading treatment following his arrest in March 2025. These are serious allegations, and if proven, they deserve an independent and impartial investigation. Every detainee is entitled to humane treatment and due process under the law.
At the same time, South Sudanese must not lose sight of the larger tragedy that brought the country to this point.
As the Acting Chief of Staff of the SPLA-IO military wing during one of the most critical periods of the conflict, Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam occupied a position of immense responsibility. The violence that erupted in Nasir County resulted in the deaths of hundreds of South Sudanese, including SSPDF soldiers, and left families mourning loved ones while communities continued to suffer the consequences of war.
Leadership is measured not only by rank but by responsibility. Those entrusted with commanding armed forces carry a duty to prevent unnecessary bloodshed, protect civilians, and pursue peaceful solutions whenever possible. When violence spirals out of control, senior commanders cannot simply distance themselves from the consequences of events that occurred under their command.
The Special Court is now examining allegations that include murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity. These are allegations only, and every accused person has the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by the court.
However, accountability must extend beyond courtroom testimony about detention conditions. The South Sudanese people also deserve answers about the devastating loss of life during the conflict. Families who lost fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters deserve justice, transparency, and the truth about what happened.
South Sudan has suffered through years of conflict fueled by political and military rivalries. The nation cannot continue to move from one cycle of violence to another without accountability from those who held positions of command and influence.
Justice must be equal for everyone. Allegations of torture should be investigated, and those responsible should be held accountable if wrongdoing is established. Likewise, if evidence proves that military or political leaders bear criminal responsibility for deaths or other crimes committed during the conflict, they too must answer before the law.
The people of South Sudan deserve peace built on truth, accountability, and respect for the rule of law—not impunity.
This article is an opinion piece reflecting the editorial views of Juba Watch Dogs Watching Power and Telling Truths. It is based on publicly reported court proceedings. The allegations against all defendants remain before the court, and no final verdict has been reached.
