South Sudan: Government urged to offer mental treatment to soldiers

The South Sudanese government has been urged to provide post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health treatment for its armed forces after a soldier attacked and killed civilians in Warrap State, in the latest such attack by a member of the uniformed forces.

The soldier allegedly walked into a shop and picked a cigarette lighter, before detonating a hand grenade killing himself and two other people in South Sudan's Warrap state Kuacjoc town.

There is need for such soldiers to be counseled before returning to stay with the public

A total of 15 people, among them four children and six Sudanese businessmen, were injured in the explosion.

"In the last six months more than 10 civilians have been killed by soldiers suspected to be mentally ill in different South Sudanese.

"There is need for authorities in the army to scrutinise its men's mental health so that those who are mentally ill excused," Apollo Gutti, a local leader in Warrap, said.

Area Red Cross coordinator, Philip Lokudu said: "I recieved information that the solder had just returned from the war front and it is likely that he was traumatized.

"There is need for such soldiers to be counseled before returning to stay with the public."

Kuacjoc mayor, Ajiek Ajiek Majok also condemned the soldier's act, suggesting that he suspects the attacker might have experienced trauma that affected him.

"Can you imagine, when he was asked to pay for the lighter at the cost of 3 South Sudan pounds ($0.50) he refused and threatened to kill himself.

"He immediately took out his grenade and opened it to explode, killing himself instantly and injuring all those around him."

Two of those injured died in hospital.

Majok said investigations are ongoing and the army is trying to establish why the soldier acted in that manner.

Efforts to obtain more information and comments from the army spokesman were fruitless.