Up to 30 Australians are thought to have travelled to South Sudan to join the civil war, all men who originally came to Australia as refugees.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil war, but plunged back into conflict when the government split in 2013, attracting Australians to fight on both sides of the war.
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The NSW-based Community of South Sudanese and Other Marginalised Areas has condemned their actions, saying that community members were attending funerals “most weeks” for relatives killed overseas.
Chairman Emmanuel Kondok said the community could not support anyone taking part in the continuing “cycle of violence”.
"When it comes to the law they will have to face it individually,” he said.
“We do not support their actions. We are against what they are doing. We would rather they go and contribute to the development of the country."
His comments follow those by Chairman of the South Sudanese Community Association, Kot Monoah, who told SBS that choosing to participate in a foreign war is an individual choice and not a community choice.
"They must not fight wars overseas and choosing to do so comes with accountabilities," Mr Kot said.
"Choosing to fight a war for, or against, the Government is not acceptable."
