James Atem
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. President Salva Kiir issued a stern warning against the perpetrators of violence, saying the government will forthwith act against them if they continue with their deeds.
Kiir noted in his New Year’s address to the nation that the country had survived the grim aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, but there were still areas of concern such as flooding and intermittent conflicts.
“I am deeply concerned by the subnational violence taking place in areas within our country,” he said.
The president said that despite his repeated calls for peace and persuasion of some individuals—he failed to name them—to stop instigating violence, his pleas had fallen on deaf ears.
“To those fueling this violence, be warned that the government will not sit on the sidelines any longer. “We will take action against those who will continue to engage in this senseless violence,” the head of state warned.
His remarks came in the wake of an increase in ethnically motivated attacks in parts of the Upper Nile, Jonglei, Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Central Equatoria, and Warrap states, among others, in recent months.
Following weeks of violence in Fashoda County, Upper Nile State, Chollo King, Reth Kwong Dak, was evacuated to Juba in late November in the wake of a series of raids and counterraids blamed on the tribal militia group ‘White Army’ and Agwelek forces.
The fighting reportedly displaced more than 20,000 people to neighbouring areas, according to the United Nations.
Similar clashes have also been reported in Greater Pibor’s Lokuangole and Gumuruk counties in recent weeks. The clashes are also blamed on the so-called “white army,” which is said to have crossed over from neighbouring Jonglei State.
Clashes between pastoralists and farmers in parts of Central Equatoria State have also persisted in recent months, with dozens of people reportedly killed and hundreds displaced. The hostilities have been ongoing since 2015, with the farming communities accusing herders from Jonglei State of allowing their herds to destroy farmlands.
Several efforts, including a presidential order directing the cattle keepers to return their animals to their places of origin, have not brought an end to the problem. More cattle have continued to arrive in Central and Eastern Equatoria states following the outbreak of devastating floods in parts of Jonglei State.
In the north, neighbouring communities of Twic in Warrap State and Ngok in the disputed region of Abyei have also been fighting over the border town of Aneet/Agok.Attempts by high-level committees, including one led by Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi, to reconcile these communities have not succeeded.
President Kiir said these conflicts can be addressed through dialogue between the aggrieved parties without resorting to violence.
He said continuous violence takes focus away from concentrating on development and delivering services.
“…this country is enough for all of us. If we work together, each community can pursue its own means of economic livelihood without interfering with others,” he said.
“Where the conflict arises, let us find peaceful means to resolve the source of this conflict. “This will allow us to focus on developing our country rather than continuing to be mired in insecurity and violence,” he added.
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