Rumbek youth leader condemns Lakes state violence
December 8, 2014 (RUMBEK) – The newly elected chairwoman of the Rumbek Youth Union (RUMYU) chapter in Nairobi has condemned the Lake state leadership over the killing of innocent civilians.
Awut Mayom Agok made the comments during her swearing in ceremony in Nairobi, attended by more than 200 youth representatives from the Bahr el Ghazal region.
She appealed to pastoralists and the state’s leadership to adopt peaceful measures and encourage unity as a way to combat insecurity in Lakes state.
“Unity is a tool to overcome our differences. As one people, we need to develop the spirit of peaceful coexistence because no man is an island,” she told the gathering of youth leaders.
“We much extend our experience … to the community back home to make sure they also live in peace to give room for development,” she added.
She said that under her leadership the union would prioritise sending a youth team to help restore peace and rebuild trust among rival Lake state communities.
“Through this union – as a chairlady of the youth in this great community – we must learn how to handle our disputes among ourselves by taking an initiative to go home and talk to our brothers about unity,” she said.
“RUMYU will strike against any pastoralists or any leadership that killed students,” she said.
She also condemned those who are supporting or participating in the killing of innocent civilians, particularly women, children and the elderly.
Lakes state has been blighted by cattle raiding since South Sudan gained independence from the north in July 2011, and continues to be locked in a cycle of inter-clan clashes and revenge killings.
Youth activists and traditional authorities have repeatedly called for the removal of military caretaker governor Matur Chut Dhuol amid claims he has failed to stem the violence. However, president Salva Kiir has so far overlooked the calls.
Local police say state authorities have become increasingly isolated, with the public refusing to share information with law enforcement officers, making in difficult to investigate killings and maintain law and order in the region.
Dhuol was appointed in January 2012 after president Kiir sacked the elected governor.
(ST)