South Sudan lawmakers to probe killing of 54 Budi in E. Equatoria
By Isaac Vuni
July 3, 2007 (JUBA) — A panel from the southern Sudan lawmakers and some Southern Sudan official will travel to eastern Equatoria to investigate the killing of 54 people from Budi community by Toposa gunmen last May.
A team of eleven people including six MPs will leave tomorrow for Eastern Equatoria’s Budi County to pay condolence to the aggrieved families on behalf of the parliament of southern Sudan. Also the panel will seek to find out what was the cause of massacring innocent women who and children who were cultivating in their farm, the chairlady of Peace and Reconciliation Committee of southern Sudan legislative assembly who is also the chairperson of the select committee, has said.
MP Mary Nyaulang said her team has been authorized by southern Sudan legislative assembly to investigate circumstances that let to massacring in cool blood 54 and 11 wounded women and children by Toposa gunmen who shot at them using 12.7 machine gun, PKM, RPG, 60 mm Mortar and AKM rifle while cultivating on May 21st 2007.
The lawmaker further revealed that their mission will last for two days whereby they will be talking to massacred survivors, women leaders, chiefs’ including youth in the affected areas for the purpose of establishing the real cause of massacring innocent women and children. That the trip is sponsored by government of southern Sudan in collaboration with UNMIS
Speaking from her office this afternoon, MP Nyaulang said “my team comprises of people of high respect and integrity besides being humane”, therefore, she went on saying that they will be straight to the point without being bias to anybody. In fact, “as peace makers, we will cultivate avenue that will enable effective reconciliation among the Didinga and Toposa communities;” assured Nyaulang.
The team comprising of MP Mary Nyaulang, MP George Keat Gatwich, MP Lucy Iyaya, MP Betty Ogwaro, MP Ufondi Fibel, MP Martin Lorika, Tobias Atari representing director of southern Sudan peace commission, Onesimo Kiri Baya, representing ministry of Interior affairs and James Marboto Katas secretary for peace and Reconciliation committee of SSLA including two press officers of the Assembly for print and electronic coverage.
Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly has recommended for immediate disarmament of people carrying guns in the affected areas .after Assembly specialized committee of security and Public Order rendered its report on motion raised by the representative of Budi County in southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, MP. David Nailo Mayo on May 29th 2007.
In another development, Mr Soforoni Okilang was last night shot in chest and on leg by suspected cattle raiders in Torit town who ran away with head of cattle. The medical authority in Torit Civil Hospital say the victim will be referred to Juba Teaching Hospital for removal of a bullet loaded in his chest.
(ST)