Rights body urges S. Sudanese rivals to cease military hostilities

September 1, 2015 (KAMPALA/NAIROBI) – A South Sudanese human rights entity has urged the country’s two main rival factions to respect the recently-signed peace deal and immediately cease the continued military hostilities.

Biel Boutros Biel, the executive director for South Sudan Human Right Society for Advocacy (SSHURSA), said it was important for the warring factions to adhere to the agreement signed on 26 August.

He condemned what he described as renewed violations of the ceasefire allegedly by government following attacks on the armed opposition strongholds in Fangak, Payinjiar, Leer, Koch and Malakal areas.

“This is waste of South Sudanese human resources on both sides. President Salva Kiir should reign on his warlike generals. The SPLA/IO generals should also never behave like their counterpart in Juba. We urge all warlords to desist from belligerent attitudes,” said Biel.

The renowned human right advocate called on the mediators and Troika countries to ensure president Kiir withdrew his forces allegedly stationed along the River Nile to avoid further clashes with the rebels.

“War must stop and South Sudanese must now stand together for peace,” he said in a strongly-worded statement issued Tuesday.

CALLS FOR STABILITY

Meanwhile, a group of South Sudanese living in Kenya have urged the country’s two rival factions to quickly resolve their difference to that peace and stability can be restored in the war-ravaged nation.

Dak Buoth, a South Sudanese in Kenya, said they fully supported the recently signed compromise peace agreement to end the conflict.

“We expressed our happiness and appreciation to the signatories of peace deal inked by the two rival leaders on 17 and 26 that dedicated positive hope to South Sudanese for a better solution to ongoing political turmoil,” Buoth told Sudan Tribune from Nairobi.

David Atem Mayuel urged president Kiir and rebel leader, Riek Machar to prioritise peace to save thousands of those suffering.

Lino Madit, on the other hand, urged the country’s two rival leaders to commit to the recently signed peace deal demanded by citizens.

According to Kujiek Ruot Kuajien, South Sudanese citizens are already tired of the war that has killed thousands and forced nearly two million people into displaced camps in neighboring countries.

“The world is competing toward technological advancement while we are shading more blood to ourselves,” said Kuajien.

He advised the country’s leaders to focus eradicating extreme poverty, reduce illiteracy rates and steer economic development.

The group further called on the African Union Commission of Inquiry into South Sudan crimes to publicise their findings on atrocities committed in the young nation during its months of violent conflict.

(ST)