Pro-government militias accused of mass abductions in Unity state
November 8, 2015 (KAMPALA) -As the two South Sudanese warring parties come close to implementing the August peace agreement, some members of Nuer militias allegedly linked to the government in Unity state have been accused of raiding women and animals from civilians who took refuge in the bushes of Leer and Mayiandit counties.
They further claimed the aggressive armed groups were mobilised by government forces from Jagei and Bul Nuer to allow “SPLA to occupy strategic areas under former rebels”.
Yoach Biding, an armed opposition representative to designated first vice president, Riek Machar told Sudan Tribune that most of the militias were from Jagei Nuer of Koch county. He further claimed the mobilisation was allegedly done by county commissioners in the government-controlled areas of Mayom and Koch counties.
But John Jal Wuor, a Jagei Nuer in Uganda, refuted claims that youth from his community joined militias allied to government, describing the accusation as “baseless”.
Jal said the armed opposition struggle should not be misinterpreted by accusing Jaguer Nuer youth loyal to the armed opposition movement to have joined government.
“I therefore dismiss claims comrade Yoach came up with based on the fact that our armed youths are still loyal to the people’s movement led by Dr Riek Machar,” he added.
Although Jal admits that some some individuals may have taken advantage of the ongoing conflicts to get involved in raiding, but the situation should not be generalised.
“Basically, we have no links with (Bul Mayom) county during these crisis, our youths shall and will never turn president Kiir’s wrath against their fellows Nuer. What we are experiencing is the regime that has given some elements of Nuer to stab other Nuers,” he added..
According to United Nation reports, crimes were committed in the south of Unity state with at least 1,000 civilians allegedly killed, 1, 300 girls and women raped and 1600 children and women abducted between April and September this year. During her visit to the Unity state capital, Bentiu in October last year, Zainab Bangura, the UN special representative on sexual described the human suffering she witnessed in the region as the “most fragile situation in her 30 years experience of working with United Nation”.
(ST)