By Baraka John
The network for civil society in Western Equatoria State has called on President Salva Kiir to urgently deploy a neutral force to Tombura County to quell the devastating inter-communal conflict in the area, citing the force should not comprise Azande and Balanda soldiers.
In a press statement to the media on Monday, the network said the president should urgently deploy forces to halt the conflict between tribes in Tombura County.
“National government should intervene to put to an end the tribal conflict in Tombura to stop the long-suffering of innocent women, children, youth and the elderly people by deploying neutral forces comprising of non-Azande and Balanda to calm the situation as soon as possible before the Christmas feast.” Read the statement in parts.
It further stated that National and state governments should provide logic and upkeep to the neutral forces in Tombura. The Network said it is closely monitoring the human violations and abuses happening in Tombura County.
“Western Equatoria State, to His Excellency General Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan. We, the civil society organizations in Western Equatoria State, are aware and following the recent serious human rights abuses happening in Tombura County. These include kidnapping, targeted and revenge killing of innocent civilians from the Azande and Balanda tribes”. Miwai read
The network also urged for justice to prevail for the victims and perpetrators of the conflict, calling for humanitarian support for the Tombura IDPs sheltering in the Counties of Tombura, Ezo, Nagero, and Yambio. It urged for recognized IDP camps to be established in the Counties where the IDPs seek refuge.
The press was read out by the deputy chairperson for the Western Equatoria State Network for civil society, Odetha Miwai.
Furthermore, the statement discouraged youth, elders and politicians, the Western Equatoria government, the national government levels, and the diaspora [of Azande and Balanda] should stop inciting the tribal conflict in Tombura and rather promote peaceful dialogue/ resolution or co-existence.
“The Communities of Azande and Balanda should deter from participating and promoting the conflict but should cooperate with the government to provide information on suspects and perpetrators to face justice.” It added
The network has urged the political will of the state and national government to resolve the conflict in Tombura and bring peace before Christmas.
The new wave of inter-communal conflict in Tombura started on 25th Oct 2024, when two youths were shot dead, and two others sustained gunshots. In November 2024, a medical doctor was shot in an army barrack but later survived. An attack was launched on the house of the Tombura County commissioner.
Between 4th – 15th December 2024, numerous incidents were recorded, including shouting of an undisclosed number of youths to death, a separate killing of a young boy in an area called Mabia, assault on a lady using a machete, burning of a mother and a child, kidnapping of a teacher, burning of civilian houses, also a woman was shot dead at the compound of Catholic Church, St Mary Parish in Tombura.
The network condemned the ongoing human rights violations/abuses in Tombura since 2021 up to date.