Nuer in Upper Nile deny leaving UN camps ahead of peace deal
April 16, 2015 (MALAKAL) – Upper Nile state’s Nuer community living under UN protection in the capital, Malakal, have dismissed claims that members had left the camps.
He said the leadership of the Nuer community strongly denied any plans to leave the civilian protection sites and begin living freely in Malakal town, adding that it would not be possible until a successful peace deal between the warring parties is reached.
“The peace talks in Addis Ababa is the only hope for the people of South Sudan and [the] region,” said William. “Those who sought peace should not dodge the venue and opt for various venues elsewhere, or they would be regarded as peace obstructors rather than peacemakers,” he added.
He accused officials in the South Sudanese government of blocking the peace process in
the country, adding that media reports such as the SSTV broadcast undermined reconciliation efforts.
He said the only solution to the current crisis was to address the root causes of the conflict and hold those perpetrators responsible for human rights violations to account, saying only this would lay the foundations for forgiveness.
The Nuer community has repeatedly blamed MPs and other senior government officials of failing to take quick action to stem the outpouring of violence.
“None of MPS ever visited IDPs in the UNMISS camps. This is an indication that they do not mind for their lives, particularly in Greater Upper Nile states,” said William.
“Nuers are being killed daily on their watch since [the] government levelled Nuer as rebels,” he added.
Some 1.8 million people have been displaced since conflict broke out between government and rebel forces led by former vice-president Riek Machar in mid-December 2013.
Hundreds of thousand have taken shelter in UN camps across the country, while many more have fled to neighbouring countries.
(ST)