Right groups ignoring crimes committed in S. Sudan: SPLM-IO
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
February 6, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – A South Sudanese armed opposition (SPLM-IO) official has faulted international human rights organisations for allegedly overlooking crimes committed by pro-government forces in the world’s youngest nation.
The official, also the opposition group’s media activist, expressed concern over the failure of the mentioned right group organisations to unveil the crimes that allegedly mount up to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“These world’s highly respected organisations are too reluctant to follow up and report the human rights violations going on in South Sudan especially in Yambio, Maridi and Mundri counties where government is bombarding civilians using world’s banned weapons”, said Gatdiet.
The SPLM-IO official wondered why the right groups allegedly lacked objectivity when exposing crimes, yet forces loyal to President Salva Kiir were “using banned weapons such as chlorine gas and other lethal missiles” in areas of Unity state, allegations Sudan Tribune could not independently verify.
Earlier this week, the armed opposition faction led by former vice president, Riek Machar accused Juba of allegedly using chemical weapons on their forces in Lanyi and Mundri in East county of Western Equatoria state, while the two rivals engaged in heavy fighting, despite a peace deal.
“I’m wondering why all these appalling stories were never reported by either Amnesty International nor by International Crisis Group to the world, so, that the whole world is aware of tribal government’s activities”, said Gatdiet.
“I still can’t understand the intention of these rights groups and their continued silence over South Sudan’s grievous atrocities while they are reporting arrest of activists across the world”, he added.
According to the armed opposition official, civilians’ properties were either being looted or destroyed and cattle raided in the Unity state capital, Bentiu and beyond in areas around Mayom county in western Unity state.
“These are evidences of evil deeds by the government of South Sudan, but rights groups are not reporting this as they keep overlooking them happening”, he stressed.
A recently released report by the United Nations accused South Sudan’s two main rival forces of committing serious crimes against civilians in the oil-rich Unity state.
Extra-judicial killings, gang-rapes, enforced disappearances, targeted attacks against civilians, sexual slavery and child soldier recruitment were some of the crimes allegedly committed by both warring SPLM factions.
(ST)