![An armed youth from local defense force known as Arrow Boys on guard in Western Equatoria state n [Simona Foltyn/Al Jazeera]](https://i0.wp.com/www.nyamile.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/WES-e1454915251417.jpg)
On that day, six young men were arrested by the contingent of the SPLA/Juba contingent stationed at Lanyi, nine miles south of Lui. On the intervention of the (Commander) of the SPLA/Juba contingent based in Lui, the young men were released. However, while they were returning home, soldiers from the contingent based in Lanyi way-laid them. They opened fire on the young men. One of the young men by the name of Sam Dusman Phillip was shot dead on the spot. (The others fled and their whereabouts are still unknown by the evening yesterday). Sam Dusman’s body was taken to Lui Hospital (and has since been buried at Te’do, where the family home is located).
The killing in Lanyi by SPLA Juba soldiers happened when the commissioner of Mundri East County Hon. John Henry was in Lui, enroute to his County Headquarters in Kedi’ba.
On many occasions in the recent past SPLM/ (in-Opposition) has reported violations of the Permanent Ceasefire as well incidents of gross human rights abuses by SPLA/Juba. The Government in Juba also continues to obstruct delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people in need in the Greater Mundri area, thereby deliberately violating international humanitarian law to which the Republic of south Sudan is a signatory.
We call on CTSAMM to immediately investigate this case and hold the perpetrators to account. We further call on UNMISS to implement its mandate of civilians protection and provision of humanitarian assistance to all those in need without discrimination.
On violations of the Permanent Ceasefire, we would like to remind all concerned that since mid-2015 and especially after the signing of the Agreement for Resolution of the conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) in August, 2015, SPLA/Juba has increased its presence in the Greater Mundri area from two (Mundri and Amadi) to 12, the new locations being Tapari, Jambo corner, ‘Buagyi, Lanyi, Lui, Kotobi, Karika, Yeri, Mvolo and Kedi’ba.
This killing and the violation of the Permanent Ceasefire has happened just a week after the government soldiers in the area reportedly used chemical weapons against SPLA -IO forces in Mundri area where 40 people went blind and children and women died as a result. The incident was reported to CTSAMM but investigations remain to be done.
The action by SPLA Juba soldiers is unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest terms possible. We demand that the CTSAMM investigate such actions without delay. We further demand that all Government army (SPLA) in the greater Mundri area be withdrawn to their barracks. We appeal to IGAD, the AU and the international community to work together in support of full implementation of ARCISS and to ensure speedy institution of mechanisms that will bring the perpetrators of such heinous crimes to book.
Signed:
Maj. Gen. Henry Malesh Louis
Commander of the SPLM/A [IO] forces in Western Equatoria state
3 comments
In Equatoria it is common for faceless Mafia to gun down civilians and security agents night time and daylight.
There are those who ambush government soldiers and business people on the main roads in western Equatoria.
The only known forces who have a declared war with government soldiers in Western Equatoria are the Arrow Boys. There is no evidence that SPLM-IO forces are in areas like Mundri.
Though some Arrow Boys claim they have joined the SPLM-IO, it is unrecognizable because it happened after the peace agreement between the government and SPLM-IO whose most of its military bases are only known to be in Uppernile.
Since there have never been active legitimate forces of the SPLM-IO in western Equatoria, it should be pointed out that the government soldiers have never violated the ARCISS on the grounds that this accord doesn’t bind the government soldiers with Arrow Boys and other gangs responsible for killing of civilians and government agents. The ARCISS is a legal document between the government, FD and SPLM-IO.
The six young men whom one of them was killed while the five had fled were possibly soldiers since the major general who wrote this article called it a violation of ARCISS.
If the six young lads are civilians, it is impossible the same army who detained them briefly and released them could have its members ambushed the boys and killed one of them.
As there are various gangs who killed both civilians and government soldiers in Western Equatoria, it is probable those gangs killed one lad out of the six or maybe the army killed one of the boys after the boys thought it was such a brilliant idea to run against the army’s order to stop them or freeze them.
As for humanitarian situation, the NGOs should be given access to deliver services to those who are displaced since they might have nothing to do with disputes between the govt and other armed groups in the area.
whether they are Arrow boys or SPLA IO they are just persuing the same course and goal. You can give them what so ever name you like or baptize them Ten times by calling SSLM, arrow boys, I O, Equotoria xxxxx, the fact is that this are rebels fighting the Jieng Dictatorial government hiding in Juba na Bari. Soon they will be send home.
Good wars are fought discriminately. Innocent civilians and business people,though they are Dinkas need no targeting since they have nothing to do with what opponents called Jieng dictatorial government. The rights of such civilians aught to be respected in compliance with United Nations human rights charter. Fighting indiscriminately as is the case in Equatoria is no clean political liberation but pure criminal violence.