Juba government accused of encouraging violence in Eastern Equatoria

March 5, 2022 (JUBA) – The National Salvation Front (NAS) condemned the fresh attack on Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria State and blamed the Juba government for neglecting to take appropriate measures to curb the tribal violence.

Cattle herders on Wednesday killed five people in Abra Boma, in Iwire Payam of Magwi County. The assailants burned houses and captured the cattle of villagers who fled the area.

The State Governor Louis Lobong condemned the attack and threatened to mobilize local militia to protect civilians if the government continue to turn a deft ear to his calls to deploy needed security forces in the state to end in the repulse the heavily armed herders.

The non-signatory group, which has its bases in the Equatoria region, equally condemned the attack pointing an accusing finger to the government of President Salva Kiir for allowing such attacks.

The statement said the attackers from the Dinka Bor herders include the members of the government army South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).

Governor Lobong also said the cattle keepers are from Jonglei State.

NAS said these attacks are part of a government’s new strategy aiming to “using its allied tribal militia in attacking, displacing innocent civilians from their villages in Equatoria Region and Western Baher El Gazal State”.

The group further called on the international community and human rights groups to investigate the attack and determine who stand behind it and its motivation.

The UNMISS head is expected to speak about the security situation in the Equatoria region among others in a briefing to the UN Security Council on Monday.

(ST)