Kiir, Machar order probe into Tambura violence, relocation of SPLA-IO forces

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny have ordered investigation into the ongoing violence in the country’s Western Equatoria state’s Tambura County in which many people have been killed or displaced, according to a statement by the presidency.

The violence which begun in June has resulted in the killing of at least forty (40) and the displacement of at least 28,000 others. Weeks of fighting have forced people, mainly women and children, to seek refuge in schools and churches in Tambura town, Nagero, Ezo, Nzara, and Yambio.

Most of them fled from Source Yubu, Akpa, Mabenge, Kpatanayo, and other locations in Tambura County. State and county authorities have been trading allegations over who is responsible for the violent unrest.

In a statement following a meeting between Kiir and Machar which was also attended by the Director-General of Internal Security Bureau of the South Sudan National Security (NSS), the presidency said the meeting between the two men ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the violence and hold those responsible into account.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the First Vice President Dr Riek Machar Teny, met with the leaders of Western Equatoria State to discuss the recent conflict in Tambura County that claimed lives, displacement of people and loss of property,” the statement said.

The meeting, attended by the SPLM-IO-nominated governor of Western Equatoria Alfred Futuyo and his deputy Kennedy Gaaniko, as well as the King of Azande Wilson Peni Rikito resolved “to form an investigation committee on fact-finding to investigate the cause of the Conflict and hold those responsible accountable.”

It also ordered “to relocate the SPLA-IO forces in Namatina and Zamoi to their headquarters and those without weapons to the cantonment sites.”