Starvation: Why Gov’t Soldiers are Deserting their Positions in Jonglei State
3 min readAllegation of “starving soldiers” in Jonglei Military Operations
June 5, 2015 (SSB) — Almost every deserter in Upper Nile especially those stationed in Jonglei claimed that there’s not enough food to eat in the SPLA held territories in Jonglei State. I’ve spoken to a number of soldiers who have deserted thier units; however, they all mentioned that “soldiers are starving terribly”.
They also cited that “there’s no way we can risk our lives to traveled on foot from places like Pajut knowing the current insecurity in the area, but it’s very difficult to remain in one place without enough food to eat. We were warned not to touch any civilians’ properties regardless of the circumstances”.
The truth is, these youngsters looks physically weak to do anything.Thus we cannot dismissed all these ‘allegations, however, this deserve a follow-up from the right authorities within the HQs.
As we speak, over hundreds young boys are under detention in JS for deserting their posts. And while i agree that deserters deserve to be arrested, these officers must find a right formula to locate their comrades without abusing innocent civilians.
Yesterday, three officers beaten up a boy in Bor which later turn out to a primary school student; and had they injured him who would have been responsible for his injury?
Moreover, all military personnel are allegedly taking any young person who’s found traveling out of Jonglei State to the barrack for identification purposes. Bor-Juba road and boats to Guolyar are the hotspot for this crackdown.
Interestingly, there are deserters in all ten States of South Sudan, however, this operation is only concentrated in Jonglei State. One wonder what’s so unique about JS but this is unfolding now.
First and Second disarmament in the entire Republic started in Bor and now crackdown is underway. Why? However, it’s up to the government to respond this allegation, but surely it looks like the days of the liberation have returned given this move.
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