Jagei students demand investigation into Unity state abductions

October 24, 2015 (KAMPALA) – The Jagei students community living in Uganda have urged the international community, human right actors and the United Nations mission in South Sudan to investigate the targeted killings and abductions of several women and girls in Unity state’s Koch county allegedly by pro-government allied armed militias.

John Jal Wuor, a representative of Jagei students in Uganda, accused some armed men from Mayom and Warrap states for continued hunting of civilians, despite the signed peace accord between the armed opposition faction and government.

“For the last two week, we have received [reports that] 15 head chiefs and 80 civilians were murdered in areas surrounding Koch county. We are appealing to the international community, the UN and other human rights crimes investigators to go on ground and witness these barbaric targeted killings,” Wuor told Sudan Tribune.

He said citizens had hoped the recent peace deal would restore stability in the country.

“Peace is what we have been calling for in order to bring back our unity and diversity as well as the dignity of the 64 south Sudan’s ethnic groups,” further stressed Wuor.

Mawich Chuol, the Jagei Nuer community leader in Uganda warned South Sudanese against fueling the war. He said people should chose peace options rather than conflicts.

“The peace that was imposed by IGAD on both sides is the only way out to build a better trust among the South Sudanese people. We South Sudanese should not block it, we have to work for peace in order to end the crisis,” he said.

Chuol alleged that Koch county commissioner, Koang Biel Char was responsible for the gross human rights violations in the area. Sudan Tribune could not verify allegations that Biel ordered pro-government forces to kill, abduct and rape civilians in Koch county.

He claimed majority of those abducted are assembled in Wangkei payam in Mayom county.

The United Nations has, in previous reports, raised concerns on the plight of civilians in the southern parts of Unity state, citing the presence of armed elements in these areas.

A UN report released in July this year said nearly 1,000 civilians were killed after military aggressions that occurred in areas controlled by the armed opposition in Unity state.

(ST)