South Sudan President writes to Israeli PM over attacks

“ I write on behalf of the government and people of South Sudan to express my deepest sympathies to you and the people of Israel for the people you have lost to the heinous and provoked terror by Hamas this past weekend. No amount of political grievances can ever justify the killings of innocent civilians,” partly reads Kiir’s October 9, letter.

He said his government stands in solidarity with the Israeli leader and his people during what he described as a difficult moment in the history of Israel.

“Your excellency, while you grappled with the magnitude of this terror,  the government, and the people of South Sudan stand in solidarity with you and all the Israelis at this difficult moment in your country’s history”, said Kiir

The South Sudanese leader said his country, like others, abhor what he described as terrorism and condemned it in the strongest terms possible.

He pledged to work with others at multilateral levels to ensure Hamas is held to account for crimes committed.

The South Sudanese leader expressed confidence in Israel’s capability to overcome the current situation.

The attack and subsequent reactions of the Israeli government and its security forces had drawn mixed perspectives and reactions in South Sudan, with government officials toeing the line taken by the country’s leader.

Analysts and rights activists have, however, questioned the motive behind the decision of the president and his administration on the Middle East conflict, while intercommunual clashes rage on in some parts of South Sudan.

(ST)