UN asked to set up civilians’ protection base in Kajo-keji amid killings

JUBA, FEBRUARY 5^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A South Sudan civil society watchdog has appealed to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to establish a civilians protection base amid escalating conflicts in Kajo-keji county.

This comes after cattle herders suspected to have come from Jonglei State’s Bor County attacked villagers at Lire Payam of Kajo-keji County killing at least 21 civilians, most of whom were unarmed young men.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post this morning, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) called on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to issue a statement and establish a base for civilians protection in Kajo-keji.

“The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) should issue a statement and if possible, establish temporary protection of civilians base in Kajo-keji county areas that are witnessing deadly violence and killings,” the statement reads in part.

The civil society watchdog further warned that the violence may spiral out of hands if authorities and partners do not immediately prescribe a remedy.

“The current situation in Kajo-keji county is resulting in forceful displacement and extrajudicial killings between the cattle herders and farmers,” the statement signed by CEPO’s executive director Edmund Yakani said.

“Chances are high the situation may get out of control if it is not genuinely and effectively addressed now,” it added.

It further called on the community leaders from the two sides to settle their disputes without the use of violence.

“CEPO is urging the traditional and community leaders of the cattle herders and the farmers to abstain from deadly violence among themselves and further avoid be forced by elites to deadly confront each other,” it said, adding that “violence doesn’t solve, but complicates problems.”