THIS WEEK: South Sudan Court sentences South African ex- colonel to death

THIS WEEK: South Sudan Court sentences South African ex- colonel to death

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | On Feb.23, Court in South Sudan sentenced a South African ex-colonel to a punishment of death by hanging after he was convicted of trying to bring down the government, a sentence that can appeal in 15 days.

Retired Colonel William Endley, 55, had been providing advice to former-vice-president-turned-rebel-leader Riek Machar, whose forces have been fighting a civil war since 2013.

In addition to charges of conspiracy and the supply of weapons, Endley was convicted of espionage, waging an insurgency, sabotage, terrorism and illegal entry into South Sudan.

During the trial, Endley attempted to call six witnesses in his defense but none showed up to testify.

Meanwhile, Machar fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo after fierce fighting broke out in Juba in July 2016. He is now in South Africa under house arrest.