August 5, 2015(Nyamilepedia) — The leaders of SPLM/SPLA in Opposition accuses Juba of restricting humanitarian access in Upper Nile to impose starvation on civilians in the areas under their control.
According to James Gatdet Dak, the spokesman to SPLM/SPLA Chairman, and also confirmed by non-governmental organizations working in Upper Nile, SPLA-Juba forces have blocked humanitarian access to the citizens in most parts of Greater Upper Nile.
Like in Nuba mountains of Sudan where vulnerable populations are stripped off of humanitarian assistance, James Gatdet reiterates that this is a continuation of “undeclared policy of genocide” on populations that are resisting the leadership of embattled president Salva Kiir.
“This is a continuation of Salva Kiir’s undeclared policy of genocide against populations in the three states of greater Upper Nile region.”James Gatdet said.
“The regime is starving these populations as another weapon of war to kill thousands more. The pretext that our forces have been attacking barges which had been carrying relief assistance is false” Gatdet continued.
SPLM/SPLA calls on the region and the international community to persuade Salva Kiir regime to reverse “inhuman treatments” of civil population, which has very little to the political power wrangles in SPLM leadership that sparked many violations of human rights and war crimes on the citizens.
“We call on regional and international mediation to condemn the decision that aims to starve the people to death” James Gatdet Dak states.
While tens of thousands have died in the conflict, about two millions people are displaced from homes and more than 40% of the young and volatile nation is fed through humanitarian assistance.
The economy of the country has collapsed, and although the famine threatens as insecurity continues to claim many lives, Juba has rejected the latest peace deal and demands that the regime must be given a lion share in power sharing arrangement in Greater Upper Nile.
