W. Equatoria officials demand transfer of army unit in Mundri
June 6, 2015 (JUBA) – Community leaders and politicians from South Sudan Western Equatoria state have demanded that the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) unit in its Mundri West county be relocated, owing to the gross misconduct of the soldiers.
The leaders, in their resolution, strongly condemned the army’s behaviours and indiscipline, which they claimed resulted in the recent tragedy in Mundri.
They appealed to the various parties in the area to desist from further escalating the situation.
“Commends the positive role played by SPLA [Sudan People Liberation Army] division commander for his swift act to contain the situation and transfer those indiscipline elements outside the county. Likewise, urges the community and youth not to take the law into their own hand and allows the government the address the crisis and the law to take its course”, partly reads a section of resolutions Sudan Tribune obtained.
Last month’s meeting further resolved that a state high level committee comprising of 15 members be constituted to present their recommendations to president Salva Kiir.
“In this same spirit, the people of Western Equatoria emphasise their stand for peace in South Sudan, Western Equatoria and in particular “Mundri” and call upon the SPLM/A Leadership to restore peace to South Sudan before the independence of the South Sudan on July 9th 2015, and most particularly before the 10th anniversary of the death of late hero Dr. John Garang De Mabior on 30th July 2015,” it stressed.
The leaders also extended condolences and words of sympathy to family, relatives and friends of all those who perished in the recent tragedy, including the late Mundri executive director, John Keliopa, members of the police, wildlife as well as army killed.
South Sudan’s minister of water and electricity, Jemma Nunu Kumba, Kiir’s legal advisor, Lawrence Korbandy, deputy speaker of the national assembly, Jasmin Samuel, deputy governor, Sapana Abui, state officials, among others, attended the meeting.
Western Equatoria officials recently accused the army of being tribal and violent against citizens and their properties, citing the killings and chaos in Mundri county.
“The army needs to be a national army instead of being from one tribe who can go on rampage like they did. You see how Mundri town had been devastated by the very soldiers who are supposed to protect the citizens,” the state information minister Charles Kisanga told Sudan Tribune last week.
He warned of a likely rebellion outbreak of the security situation was not addressed.
(ST)