Journalist of US-funded Internews Was Shot 6 times By Kiir’s Militia For Being A Nuer

August 17, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —– As the reports of July fighting in South Sudan capital begin to emerge, ethnic targeting, rape and looting by a militia and SPLA soldiers allied to President Salva Kiir dominate the ordeal.

John Gatluak Maguet, an independent journalist but a Nuer by ethnicity, was shot at least six times, 2 bullets in his head and four others into his body for bearing Nuer scarification on his forehead.

Gatluak, who worked for Internews, a US-funded international non-profit media organization, just returned from the United States where he attended special media training.

Less than 24 hours before his death, John posted on his Facebook page “Thanks be to God! through Him, there is always way out…” after changing his hotel to Terain hotel where the worst nighmare followed him and most of his colleagues.

Women were raped and others abused by over 100 members of Mathianganyor, a militia that is predominately Dinka from Salva Kiir’s home states of Warrap and Northern Bhar el ghazal.

The militia was brought and trained by the current Chief of Staff, Paul Malong Awan, to protect President Salva Kiir.

In 2014 Kiir praised the militia for fighting in Juba and other major towns in the country after the army defected to the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.

Many other Nuer were targeted in July. Senior Nuer generals in the army on Kiir’s side, whose houses were attacked and bodyguards killed, had to seek refuge in the UNMISS camp for their own safety.

More than 200 women were also raped on the streets by the government soldiers in a range of two weeks after the fighting and isolated incidents of rape and intimidation continue in Juba to these days.

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