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Press Statement: The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM)

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) Calls for an International Investigation of Kidnappings of South Sudanese Refugees in Neighbouring Countries

February 26, 2017 (SSB) —- Following the July 2016 conflict in Juba and the ascent to power of the Juba faction of the SPLM-IO led by General Taban Deng Gai, a new wave of violence has spread to the most peaceful regions of Central Equatoria which until then existed as the only beacon of stability and peaceful coexistence since the outbreak of South Sudan’s civil war in December 2013. State sponsored kidnappings, abductions and deportation of refugees is also becoming a regular occurrence targeting activists and members of opposition groups exiled in neighbouring Kenya and Uganda, as is abductions and unlawful detentions of journalists and concerned citizens in the country who express alternative views.

SPLM-IO members Dong Samuel Luak and Aggrey Ezbon Idri both went missing in Nairobi Kenya, on the 23rd and 24th of January 2017 respectively. Their whereabouts are not known and a Kenyan court investigating the case has reached an inconclusive verdict. Prior to their disappearance, James Gadet Dak, a refugee in Kenya and spokesperson of the SPLM-IO, was arrested and deported back to South Sudan by the Kenyan government, despite pleas from the UNHCR authorities forewarning otherwise. It is worth noting that the fate of James Gadet Dak remains unknown to date as he has been denied access to legal counsel or any visits.

Kidnappings, abductions and/or deportation of refugees and asylum seekers is a violation of International Refugee Law and the ‘UN Declaration on the protection of all persons from enforced Disappearance’ and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. PDM, therefore, acknowledges the upright stance adopted by some leading politicians in Kenya who have expressed their disappointments with the prejudiced view taken by the government of Kenya on the conflict in South Sudan; and welcomes the recent statement by the UN Expert Group on Enforced Disappearances, calling on the Kenyan and South Sudan governments to reveal the fate of the two South Sudanese activists abducted in Nairobi, Kenya last month.

At this point in time, the people of South Sudan are deeply frustrated with the continued lack of accountability for the perpetrators of the crimes and their handlers, and doubt the ability of Kenya to act responsibly as part of the UN protection force or as a member of the IGAD peace process given the compromised position it has openly adopted. To deter such violations and protect the dignity of vulnerable South Sudanese citizens, refugees and asylum seekers, the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM):

PDM underscores the importance of documenting critical evidence and the establishment of an independent mechanism to investigate the kidnappings, abductions, unlawful detentions, illegal deportations and other crimes against humanity, that are on the rise in South Sudan and across its borders.

Dr. Hakim Dario

PDM Chair

Signed: ___________________

For all comments, queries and opinions, please communicate to press@pdm-rss.org

CC:   – JMEC, AU, UNSC, TROIKA, IGAD,

ABOUT PDM: The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) is a popular grassroots Movement formed by concerned South Sudanese in the country and the Diaspora; in response to the political crisis and fast deteriorating economic, humanitarian and security situation in the Republic of South Sudan. It seeks to offer the way forward amid heightened ethnic polarisation and devastating conflict in the country, encouraged and abated primarily by President Salva Kiir’s divisive Government policy, incompetent, oppressive and corrupt leadership. 

The opinion expressed here is solely the view of the writer. The veracity of any claim made are the responsibility of the author, not PaanLuel Wël: South Sudanese Bloggers (SSB) website. If you want to submit an opinion article or news analysis, please email it to paanluel2011@gmail.com. SSB do reserve the right to edit material before publication. Please include your full name, email address and the country you are writing from.

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