South Sudan army burns Mundri town without knowledge of local authorities: official
October 9, 2015 (JUBA) – Authorities in Western Equatoria state have accused South Sudan army (SPLA) in Mundri West county of killing civilians and burning down the whole town to ashes without the knowledge of the state administration, forcing local populations to flee to the bushes for their lives.
The cause of the action by the government forces remains unclear. State officials and local SPLA command have provided conflicting accounts of what transpired leading to indiscriminate shooting at civilians by the government forces.
Abui narrated that the situation in Mundri town started to deteriorate last week on 1 October when unknown gunmen attacked SPLA military post in the area at Mundri Junction (Farasika Mundri).
“The report we have received was that our forces came under attack in the area. That happened in their base at Mundri junction. Mundri junction is a military post. When we received this report, we started to make some contacts with relevant authorities. We contacted the general headquarters, the division commander and security forces to find out who were behind the attack on the base of our forces,” he said.
“We were also expecting our local command to work together with the local authorities. Unfortunately this did not happen,” he said.
He said the army instead of working together with the other organized forces, particularly police forces, wild life and fire brigade in the area to help identify who were behind the attack on the government forces, the SPLA elements came and attacked the town, burning it down to ashes.
He accused the SPLA of excessive use of force and attacks targeting innocent civilians and their properties.
“On the 6th [of October] the area witnessed attack helicopters flying over and bombing the whole area,” he further explained.
The state official blamed a reinforcement of the SPLA forces from Mvolo for the indiscriminate shooting, saying they started entering the area between 6th and 7th October targeting civilian settlements.
“The report we have received from county authorities is that SPLA forces which came from Mvolo carried out indiscriminate attack on the civilian settlements. Their actions were unprovoked,” he said.
“Now this security situation is very bad. People have fled their homes to the bush. There is no food. No shelter and now we are hearing of people being affected by some contagious diseases. The situation is extremely bad.”
He claimed that most of the towns and villages in Mundri West county have been burnt by the army, leaving people without shelters.
Army spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer, told reporters on Friday that his office had not received any report on the incident, saying he will have to ask the division commanding officer in the state for details.
The armed opposition faction led by former vice president, Riek Machar, this week issued a statement condemning the attack on civilians in Mundri by the government.
(ST)