S. Sudanese rights body urges investigation into Wonduruba and Maridi killings

October 20, 2015 (KAMPALA) – South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy (SSHURSA) as condemned the alleged targeted killings of unarmed civilians in Wonduruba and Maridi areas in Central and Western Equatoria states respectively, calling on the international community and human groups to investigate these incidents.

“The attacks on civilians, SSHURSA said, has been going on for months particularly in areas dominated by the civil population. The entity accused the pro-government Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLM) of allegedly being responsible forvthe rampant killings.

“Field reports further indicate that children, women and elderly people have been dispersed in the bushes of Wonduruba and Maridi areas without food, water and shelters in dire conditions of rainy season,” the rights body said in a statement.

SSHURSA accused the SPLA of allegedly torturing civilians over claims they supported the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) in Central and Western Equatoria states.

“Such accusations even if were to be true , do not at all hold any truth because they do not warrant a national army to kill innocents civilians. If the government has evident of individuals supporting armed opposition in such areas, let such suspects be taken to
competent court of law to establish their guilt in fair trail instead of abusing innocent people,” said the rights body.

Last week, the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it accommodated over 600 people in temporary facilities in Western Equatoria as a result of clashes between pro-government forces and unknown armed elements operating in the region.

According to SSHURSA, there was continuous hunting of civilians regarded to be rebel supporters remaibed a threat to minor groups in both Central and Western Equatoria.

It condemned abuses of human rights against by the army and called upon the army to rethink its mandate of defending the rights of South Sudan without interferences.

“We appealing to international community to hold Juba government responsible over such human rights abuses. Such violation against innocents and unarmed civilians may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the organisation appealed.

The South Sudanese rights group called on the state and the international community to investigates the incidents and bring to justice the commanding principal perpetrators as well as identify individual SPLA soldiers implicated in the alleged murder of civilians.

“We also appeal to the international community particularly the United Nations and other donors countries to deliver swift humanitarian responsible to the suffering people of Wonduruba and Maridi areas as well other parts of Greater Upper Nile and Lake state where there is similar human right abuses,” stressed SSHURSA in it’s statement.

(ST)