South Sudan former detainees condemn armed confrontation in Wau

June 30, 2016 (JUBA) – A group of South Sudanese politicians from fragmented ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), has issued a statement condemning armed confrontation in which dozens of people have been killed and several others sustained injuries when Wau town, the administrative headquarters of the new created Wau state, came under heavy gun fire over the weekend, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes to churches and the camp of the united nations.

“We the former political detainees wish to convey to the people of Wau our sincere condolences for the loss of their loved ones during these tragic events unfolding there. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the massacre of innocent civilians, who have nothing to do with the armed contest still continuing in the country,” the group said in a statement issued on 28 June.

The statement further added that they have heard from eye witness accounts, from individuals who have fled the violent conflict, giving testimonies of horrific stories about the events which befell the town, stressing that unknown number of people have been killed.

“We join our compatriots to express grave concern about the evolving tragic situation in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal. Over the past few days voice of communication, eye witness stories and people who have fled from Wau tell horrific tales of violence”, it added.

Unknown number of people, according to the release, are reported to have been killed. Dead bodies are said to be strewn over the town, many people have fled to seek refuge in the bushes or in the (UNMISS) United Nations mission in South Sudan) protection of civilians camp.

The group’s spokesperson Madut Biar Yel further claimed they received reports alleging that armed uniformed men have carried out house to house executing civilians in cold blood within the town, asserting it implies total breakdown of law and order with nobody in control of the situation.

“Sadly, the events unfolding in Wau are reviving in us the sad memories of the mass slaughter of civilians in Juba in December, 2013 and repeatedly in Bor, Bentiu and Malakal in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

They urged the unity government to convene an urgent meeting preferably in Wau tow with the view of addressing the situation with immediacy and to allow the civilians to return to their homes.

(ST)