Darfurians in E. Equatoria mourn colleagues killed in Bentiu

By Ijoo Bosco

April 24, 2014 (TORIT) – The Darfurian community in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state on Thursday converge together to mourn their colleagues who were brutally killed in Bentiu, the Unity state capital last week.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said more than 200 people died in Bentiu after the strategic Unity state town fell to opposition forces last week. Both the government and rebel forces have denied any involvement.

Speaking at the occasion on behalf of the state governor, youth affairs minister Abdulla Kapello appealed to members of the community in Torit to remain calm in spite of the deadly events that occurred in the oil-rich town.

Hassan Urbano, the chairperson of the Muslim community in Eastern Equatoria state equally called for calm and harmony among his subjects.

“Muslim Islam does not have border and all Muslims are one despite their race”, said Hassan.

He further appealed to the Muslim community in the state to embrace peace, unity and love, while urging government to provide conducive security for their businesses.

Siliman Mahamed Ahmed, a Sudanese residing in the state capital, Torit, however, appreciated the state government for providing ample security to people in the region.

He further lauded the state governor for not segregating against anyone in the state and conveyed condolences to the families of those killed in Bentiu last week.

The White House on Tuesday issued a strongly worded statement condemning the killings that occurred in the Unity state capital with calls for sanctions on the country’s leaders.

“For the sake of the people of South Sudan, [the] international community must sanction political spoilers and those who target civilians”, said Samantha Power, the US special representative to the UN.

(ST).