July 16th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The French Ambassador to South Sudan, Jean Yves Roux , said on Saturday during a even in Juba that the killers of civilians mentioned during the UN report are criminals, thugs and cowards.
The comment by the French Diplomat came almost a week after the OHCHR released a report detailing how troops commanded by three unnamed South Sudanese army Generals killed aboput 232 people in Southern Unity between April and May.
“The recent report on the atrocity committed against civilians in Southern Liech state in May this year, 236 civilians killed and 120 women raped. Some said that the report was biased, possibly, but the evidence is there and the facts are still facts. All parties signed agreement and cessation of hostilities in December 2017, within that, they have committed to using force to combat criminals or in self-defense.” said the French diplomat.
The French diplomat continued and strongly criticised South Sudan for disavowing responsibility of the horrific crimes laid on them by the OHCHR. He further said that those criminals must be caught, judged and punished by law.
“Shooting women and children in the back while fleeing into swamps, is it a self-defense? No, it’s a murder, raping and killing lactating mothers, is it fighting criminals? No, it’s committing a crime. So which political leaders could come to us today and say that was done on my behalf to serve the cause, there is no cause in this. It’s committing a crime. Those who committed these crimes are criminals, thugs, and cowards, they must be caught, judged and punished.” He said.
He pointed out that civilians are suffering and the magnitude of South Sudan’s man-made crisis and destruction have been on an unprecedented scale since 2013.
“There is still no peace in South Sudan, the level of human suffering has never been so affirmed the number of refugees and the internally displaced person has continued to rise. And the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis has broken an unprecedented record, South Sudan is collapsing so there is urgency.” said the French Ambassador.
