April 20th, 2018(Nyamilepedia) — A group of human rights organizations in the United States of America under the auspice of the South Sudan International Advocacy for Human Rights deplore the ongoing inter-factional fighting in South Sudan’s Unity State.
For more than two weeks, South Sudan’s main warring factions under the leadership of Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit of the SPLA(IG) and Dr. Riek Machar of the SPLA(IO) have battled for control of major towns like Nhialdiu, Kuergeng of Guit County and Buaw of Koch County in Unity state.
According to reliable sources, most of the fighting this week were around the capital, Bentiu, and towards the oilfields of Tharjiath.
Through a press release extended to Nyamilepedia, South Sudan International Advocacy for Human Rights said it has learned that president Salva Kiir and his First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, have ordered their forces to attack rebels’ positions in Unity State.
“With great certainty, we have confirmed that the government has ordered a huge force from Bentiu to move East, South and West unity State, some stationed now in WangKei area ready to attack the opposition forces on the other side of Naam River.” Read part of the statement.
Peter Gatkuoth Wadar Kuel, the leader of the South Sudan International Advocacy for Human Rights, calls on South Sudanese-Americans and South Sudanese-Canadians to alert their representatives in the governments before the full-scale war resume in the war-torn South Sudan.
“With grave concern, we call upon South Sudanese Americans and South Sudanese Canadians to inform their elected representatives so that the World is put on notice before this horrific event take place.” Peter said.
“All South Sudanese Civil Society Organizations in the United States of America will communicate this information to the office of U.S. Representative to the United Nations and the State Department. So, please do your part before it’s too late to save lives.” Gatkuoth continued.
The warring factions have traded accusations over the weeks of who is carrying out offensives against the other as such activity is seen as a violation to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement that was signed earlier this year.
While neither side accept responsibility over these attacks both sides claim to have repulsed the opponent and both side claim to control the contested towns and regions.
South Sudan conflict began in December 2013 after a long awaited SPLM Liberation Council meeting failed to reconcile the leaders. A peace agreement that was brokered by the regional bloc IGAD has also failed to restore peace and stability in the world’s youngest nation.
