Kiir waging ‘proxy wars’ against citizens to undermine elections – Gen. Gatwech

JUBA, FEBRUARY 5^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s breakaway opposition commander and leader of the SPLM-IO Kitgwang faction, Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual has accused President Salva Kiir Mayardit of waging proxy war to undermine elections at the end of the transitional period, according to a statement extended to Sudans Post.

The statement signed by Gatwech’s top diplomat Jordan Manpiny condemned the killing of civilians by suspected cattle herders in Kajo-keji County of Central Equatoria State and said human rights violations continue to take place in most parts of the country.

“The office of the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang Declaration’s Secretary for Foreign Affairs releases this statement to call on the attention of the International Community to the ongoing horrific violence in Kajo-Keji County. At the eve of the visit of the Holy Father, His Grace Pope Francis and his accompanying delegations, South Sudan has witnessed yet another horrendous violence in Kajo-keji County massacring more than 20 unarmed civilians,” the statement said.

“The disturbing images of the dead bodies encircled by wailing loved ones and mourners have flooded social media in the last few days. This manslaughter is said to have been carried out by heavily armed pastoralists associated to the government in Juba, and fighting, looting, burning of houses and raping are reported to be intensifying in other parts of the central Equatoria State on the second day,” it added.

The statement called on the international community to condemn the killings which took place in the even of Pope Francis’ visit to the country.

“We acknowledged and commended the Bishops of the Central Equatoria Internal Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and their clergy men for their bravery, courage and stance with the victims and in the face of this evil acts. The leadership of the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang Declaration has condemned this cruel and brutal acts of violence in the strongest term possible. We call on IGAD, Africa Union, Troika, United Nations, and the rest of the International Community to condemn the ongoing violence and to hold Juba accountable for such an atrocity,” it said.

“The leadership of the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang Declaration welcomes the visit of the Holy Father, His Grace Pope Francis to the Republic of South Sudan. Although the leadership in Juba is intransigent and lacks political will to bring lasting peace to the country, the people of South Sudan hope this papal visit will bring repentance and change of hearts among the leaders,” it added.

It said that the runaway violence in the country is “not mere isolated communal hostilities but are rather new government strategic policies that wage and finance proxy wars against its own citizens as a mean of extending its stay in power.”

“As everyone knows, human trafficking is a crime against humanity, but Murle Armed Youth terrorizes their neighboring communities of Lou and Jikany Nuer, Dinka Bor and Anyuak with logistical backup and support from the government.

“This hostile community abducts children and women and raid cattle from the said peaceful neighbors while enjoying the courtesy of Juba’s relationship. The perpetrators of these crimes against humanity must be held accountable at all costs.”