Watchdog condemns deadly Abyei attack

JUBA, January 4^th 2023 (Sudans Post) – South Sudan civil society watchdog, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has condemned Monday’s attack on the disputed Abyei region in which armed men believed to have come from neighboring Warrap and Unity State attacked civilians in the south of the disputed territory.

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) said in a statement on Tuesday that around 200 armed Nuer and Dinka Twic youth launched attack on Monday morning in southern Abyei region killing at least 13 people, wounding five, burning 15 houses and displacing more people before the attack was contained.

“A combined armed group of Nuer and Twic Dinka launched an early morning attack on the Rumamer village, 15 kilometres south of Abyei Box, killing thirteen persons and injuring five others (all Ngok Dinkas) while some 27 houses in the village were burnt down,” the UNISFA said in the.

“UNISFA troops are currently patrolling the area to locate the remaining attackers and prevent any further attacks. They are also protecting the Rumamer village and facilitating the return of local civilians who fled their homes. The troops have been put on high alert in the general area where the incident occurred,” the statement added.

In a statement, CEPO condemned the attack and called it a gross human rights violation.

“The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization strongly condemned the attack and consider it as clear demonstration of commitment of gross human rights violations,” the civil society watchdog said in the statement a copy of which was extended to Sudans Post.

Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization said continued attacks and escalating subnational violence is undermining the constitutional functioning of government and called on President Salva Kiir Mayardit to take immediate measures to provide solutions.

“It is clear that armed youth from cattle herder across the country are increasing undermining the constitutional function of the government on protection of civilians and application of rule of law. President should take responsibility of ascertaining his constitutional obligation for holding individuals or group of persons that under the constitutional obligation of the government,” Yakani said.

“Indiscipline politicians, military leaders and traditional leaders are increasing engaged in undermining the role of the government on protection of civilians by strengthening and support the role of youth for being armed for waging deadly and inhuman attacks on their fellow civilians’ population,” the activist warned.

The prominent activist further said that “What is happening recently in Gumuruk, Magalla and Rumamer villages is clear demonstration that the state capacity for provision of constitutional obligation for providing protection of civilians is growing getting weaker and weaker. This tell a lot in terms of soon armed youth as a non-armed state actors will take control of the society governance obligation from the government.”