Western embassies condemn violence in Upper Nile state
embassies and the European Union (EU) have condemned the recent hostilities in Upper Nile State, urging all the parties involved to exercise restraint.
The call from the embassies of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States came in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The embassies expressed concerns over reports of detentions of senior military and civilian officials.
“We join our IGAD counterparts in calling for immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties and their affiliates to exercise maximum restraint. Juba-based leaders must demonstrate their commitment to peaceful dialogue and should put the interest of the South Sudanese people first,” the statement noted.
On Tuesday, security forces arrested the Petroleum minister, Puot Kang Chan and Gen. Gabriel Doup, causing panic and tension in the country. Both Doup and and Kang are senior members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice-President Riek Machar.
There are reports that other senior military officials allied with Machar are currently under house arrest.
However, despite the arrests and increasing tension, President Salva Kiir vowed South Sudan would not return to war.
There are widespread fears that the violence in Nasir could spread to other parts of the state.
(ST)