Some legislators in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly have condemned the killing of nearly 20 Internally Displace Persons in Panyikang County of Upper Nile state last week.
On Thursday afternoon, armed men believed to be allied to General Simon Gatwech attacked the IDP camp at Adidhang – killing 17 innocent civilians. Gen. Gatwech’s group denied the attack and accused the SPLA-IO of carrying out the attack.
In Juba, the Members of Parliament from the Chollo community reprimanded the perpetrators for the killings and the displacement of more than 5,000 people in Adidiang area.
The area has been experiencing number of clashes between armed groups and the kit-Gwang faction who defected from the SPLA-IO.
“We the Chollo MPs in the legislature condemns in the strongest terms the incident which took place in Adhidiang at 2:00pm on 8th Septembe, 2022,” stated Hon. Rebecca Joshua, who is also the SPLM Chief Whip.
The lawmakers said last week’s attacks affected at least 8,000 women, children and the elderly – who had previously fled from Tonga for Adhididang due to the same armed conflicts.
“We are shocked and saddened by the heinous attacks on the vulnerable and unarmed civilians. As a result, an unknown number of civilians were killed and others drowned in the River Nile as they attempted to seek safety,” Hon. Okwaci said on behalf of the Chollo MPs.
“We…appeal to our government to provide necessary security to protect innocent civilians,” they added.
They further called on the national government to apprehended the perpetrators of the ongoing violence on civilians in Chollo land.
“…apprehend the criminals and bring them to book so that such incidents do not repeat themselves and encourage the parties and communities to work for peace and stability in our country.”
The parliamentarians from the Chollo also appealed to the government and the humanitarian agencies to provide much needed assistance to the affected.
“We appeal to the ministry of humanitarian affairs to provide humanitarian support to the displaced and call on the NGOs and all well-wishers to extend relief support to the civilians who have suffered long days and nights on trekking to safety.”
