April 29th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan government has been accused by the armed opposition group SPLM-IO under the leadership of the country’s former First Vice President Riek Machar of occupying a building belonging to the Mundri Teacher Training College. Nyamilepedia understood that the college is operated by the Mundri Relief and Development Association, a non-governmental organization based in Mundri West county.
In a statement extended to the Nyamilepedia by the opposition governor of Mid-west Equatoria state Maj. Gen. Lavirick Liwa, the order was given by the government’s Amadi state governor Joseph Ngere and the commissioner of kotobi County Simon Sidig Alexander.
“Troops loyal to the South Sudan government has today occupied the building and a compound belonging of the Teacher Training College of the Mundri Relief and Development Association at Kotobi town in Mundri West county. The order to occupy the the property of a humanitarian and non-governmental organisation was given by Amadi State governor Joseph Ngere and Commissioner of Kotobi County Simon Sidiq Alexander,” he said.
He said occupying a property belonging to a humanitarian organization is in contrary to the Ceasefire Agreement signed in December last year and also violates other international humanitarian laws.
“Occupying property of a humanitarian organisation is a very serious violation of the signed cessation of hostilities agreement, human rights, law of armed conflicts and international humanitarian Law,” he said.
He called on the IGAD and relevant organizations monitoring the peace talks to advise the South Sudan government to withdraw from the Mundri Teacher Training College.
“We call upon UN, IGAD, UNMISS and CITSSAM to talk to South Sudan government army to withdraw it’s forces from MRDA teacher training college with immediate effect and unconditionally,” he added.
He said their group, the SPLM-IO, condemns the takeover by the government.
“We in SPLA/M IO condemns this incident in the strongest terms. It is worth mentioning that MRDA is a non political organisation and has carried out humanitarian and developmental activities in South Sudan for more than twenty years.” he stressed as he concludes.
