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"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing" By Konstantin Josef Jireček, a Czech historian, diplomat and slavist.

Diocese of Duk: Statement on the massacre of 51 innocent civilians in Duk Payuel

STATEMENT ON THE MASSACRE OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS IN DUK PAYUEL COUNTY OF JONGLEI STATE ON TUESDAY, 28th NOVEMBER 2017 BY THE ARMED MURLE YOUTH OF BOMA STATE, 30th NOVEMBER 2017

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December 6, 2017 (SSB) — The Diocese of Duk of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan condemns the despicable massacre of fifty-one (51) innocent and vulnerable civilians in Duk Payuel County and Duk Panyang County of Jonglei State, South Sudan by the armed Murle youth. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and stand in solidarity with the people of Duk as they grieve for their fellow citizens.

This wanton killing of innocents people in large numbers is just the most recent of the many vicious acts perpetrated by the Murle armed youth against the innocent people of the Duk and other areas in Jonglei State, including the massacres of dozens of innocent civilians in Jalle, Ajuong – Pakeer, Wernyol and Duk Padiet which only further galvanizes hatred among the communities of which the church strongly stands against.

The Diocese of Duk stands with the rest of the world in condemning, these killings of innocent people who have been deprived of their fundamental right to life. Consistent with biblical teaching, the Diocese of Duk holds the conviction that no cause could justify taking innocent lives, because any human life is with sanctity and precious in the sight of God, the Creator.

God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.

Scripture specifies the prohibition contained in the fifth commandment: “Do not slay the innocent and the righteous (Exodus 23:7). The deliberate murder of an innocent person is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human being, to the golden rule, and to the will of God.

This dastardly massacre, which has led to the death of forty-four (44) people, sixteen (16) people wounded and fifty-six (56) children abducted and burning down of numerous houses in Duk Payuel County; and the death of three (3) people in Duk Panyang County respectively. The same attackers ambushed a vehicle between Wernyol and Poktap killing four (4) and wounding three (3) others including the paramount chief of Duk Panyang County. This is genocide and crime against humanity under international law.

This heinous act of killing and abducting such a big number underscores the urgent need for international condemnation of such act. This culture of killing and child abduction practice requires urgent national and international attention.

We appeal to the humanitarian agencies to help the survivors of Duk Payuel massacre who are virtually left with nothing since their houses have been burnt down and their cattle were taken which was their livelihood. We also appeal for help to support the wounded who are currently at Juba Military Hospital.

We appeal to the government of the Republic of South Sudan for protection otherwise it makes no sense for the civilian to live in such a country where their very government does not protect their lives and property; and in essence, life makes no sense.

We also appeal to the government of the Republic of South Sudan, the International Community and the Human Right Watchdogs that the people of Duk demand the return of their abducted children and justice. We urge the human right watchdogs and UNMISS to investigate. We have not seen UNMISS commitment in executing its mandate of protecting civilians in South Sudan.

As Diocesan Bishop of Duk whose congregation is being annihilated, I appeal to the world to stand in solidarity with the people of Duk and ask the Anglican Church worldwide to keep the people of Duk in their thoughts and prayers.

We urge the Presbyterian Church in Pibor area to work closely work with the Episcopal Church of South Sudan to bring peace to Greater Jonglei communities.

During this somber moment of tragedy and horror, the Diocese of Duk wishes to re-affirm its continued solidarity with people of Duk and extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wish a quick recovery for all those injured.
May God bless the people of Duk!

The Rt. Rev. Daniel Deng Abot

Bishop, Diocese of Duk

Tel: +211 955 523 896; +211 914 736 091; +614 322 9600 (Aus)

Email: danieldengabot@gmail.com

Note: Find herewith enclosed the lists of the deceased, abducted and wounded.

  1. LIST OF THE DECEASED IN THE DUK PAYUEL COUNTY OF JONGLEI STATE ON 28th NOVEMBER 2017 BY THE ARMED MURLE YOUTH OF BOMA STATE
S/N Full Names of deceased Sex Age Status
1 Deng Yuol Ader M Adult Chief
2 Lual Machok Nhial M Adult Chief
3 Nyadieng Nyakan Malek F  Child Civilian
4 Jok Mayul Reath M  Child Civilian
5 Nyuon Chol Nhial M  Child Civilian
6 Lueth Ket Rambang M  Child Civilian
7 Akech Atem F  Adult Civilian
8 Deng Leek Deng M Adult Soldier
9 Duot Deng Duot M Adult Aid worker, CRS
10 Diing Garang Monybeer M Adult Aid worker, CRS
11 Ajah Chol Ajack F  Adult Civilian
12 Nyagach Bayak Diu F  Adult Civilian
13 Mayen Mapur Kuai M    
14 Adut Rou Pajok F    
15 Maker Anyang Ayom M    
16 Abul Yien Bol F    
17 Kutin Deng Dut M    
18 Riak Kuir Kongor F    
19 Adau Deng Dut. F    
20 Achol Manyok Yai F    
21 Ajah Malok Deng F    
22 Abuk Bol Atem F    
23 Nyandeng Thon Ayuel F    
24 Ayul Kok Deng M    
25 Yany Lam F    
26 Mageu Riak Aleer M    
27 Chol Nyot Lual M    
28 Kuai Lul Guet M    
29 Nyakor Tot Tong F    
30 Achol Yuol Ader F  Adult  Civilian
31 Makuei Atem Goch M   Soldier
32 Apiir Machot Akech F    
33 Nyawei Nuer F    
34 Achok Manyok Puot F    
35 Dr. Biar Chagai Biar M  Adult Aid worker, JDF
36 Awek Majok Aleer F   Aid worker, JDF
37 Juma Pitia John M  Adult  
38 Ajah Mayul Reath F    
39 Magai Bang Deng M    
40 Nyamot Kangai F    
41 Nyapayuel Mayul F  Child  
42 Driver of John Dau Foundation. M  Adult Kenyan Citizen, JDF
43  Yar Mach F  Adult  Civilian
44  Akuol Nhiany Lueth F  Adult  Civilian
45 Anei Awan Manyang M Adult Panyang victims
46 Gatkor Makol Mar M Adult Panyang victims
47 Gai Chuol Aluom M Adult Panyang victims
48 Mading Biliu M Adult Wernyol – Poktap road ambush
49 Deng Thok M Adult Wernyol – Poktap road ambush
50 Thon Bolthi Malual M Adult Wernyol – Poktap road ambush
51 Yien Mabil Awan Wernyol – Poktap road ambush

  1. LIST OF THE ABDUCTED IN THE DUK PAYUEL COUNTY OF JONGLEI STATE ON 28th NOVEMBER 2017 BY THE ARMED MURLE YOUTH OF BOMA STATE
S/N Full Names of abductee Sex Age Status
1 Achot Mayul Reath F 16 Child
2 Aduk Mayul Reath F 6 Child
3 Chol Riak Deng M 11 Child
4 Bo lHoth Thet M 11 Child
5 Alek Panther Ruot F 4 Child
6 Abul Makoi bethou F 10 Child
7 Aluong Nyankiir Maduk F 12 Child
8 Ayen Lual Machok F 4 Child
9 Nyakong Ruach Weituoor F 10 Child
10 Nyanyuot Ruach Weituoor F 8 Child
11 Nyalou Ruach Weituoor F 6 Child
12 Akei Deng Manyuon F 12 Child
13 Adol Deng Manyuon F 8 Child
14 Agot Deng Manyuon F 5 Child
15 Nyanduk Kuei Lul F 7 Child
16 Makim Kuei Lul M 10 Child
17 Kuei Kong Awuol F 45 Adult
18 Machuei Ruot Rou M 10 Child
19 Lual Ruot Rou M 8 Child
20 Nyantiop Ruot Rou F 4 Child
21 Nyibol Ruot Rou F 4 Child
22 Majok Pakok Manguak M 14 Child
23 Lul Thon Lul M 7 Child
24 Chiengkuach Majok Awan M 2 Child
25 Akoi Koryom Ajing F 7 Child
26 Ajock Koryom Ajing F 4 Child
27 Manyiel Bol Kuanen M 3 Child
28 Nyamuou Kong Gach F 15 Child
29 Tap Kong Gach M 11 Child
30 Magot Chuol Nyot M 11 Child
31 Lual Abiel Lul M 4 Child
32 Agot Deng Manyiel F 4 Child
33 Akur Deng Manyiel F 5 Child
34 Bol Deng Manyiel M 3 Child
35 Awan Deng Manyiel M 1 Child
36 Akur Deng Riak F 7 Child
37 Kuei Deng Riak F 4 Child
38 Leek Deng Riak M 3 Child
39 Yar Deng Riak F 1 Child
40 Yai Deng Riak M 1 Child
41 Deng Maker Ayong M 5 Child
42 Bol Chol Bol M 7 Child
43 Aduk Chol Bol F 5 child
44 Akech Machot Aleer M 8 Child
45 Aluel Kon Nyok F 7 Child
46 Ayen Chol Ayual F 7 Child
47 Ayual Chol Ayual M 5 Child
48 Ayenthi Chol Ayual F 1 Child
49 Nyandom Chol Ayual F 3 child
50 Maduk Mapur Kuai M 5 Child
51 Mawut Lam Jock M 11 Child
52 Nyaluak Lam Jock F 6 Child
53 Taban Lam Jock M 5 Child
54 Borchar Lam Jock M 12 Child
55 Nyibol Mawut Makuei F 4 Child
56 Achol Kuei Lul F 12 Child

  1. LIST OF THE WOUNDED IN THE DUK PAYUEL COUNTY OF JONGLEI STATE ON 28th NOVEMBER 2017 BY THE ARMED MURLE YOUTH OF BOMA STATE 
S/No Names in Full Sex Status
1. Adhieu Deng Manyuon F Child
2. Aguil Chol Ayen M Child
3. Dau Marial Dual M Child
4. Aduk Lam Jok F Child
5. Anger Abiel Lul F Child
6. Rebecca Nyibol Agany F Adult
7. Malor Koryom Ajing M Child
8. Nyankor Deng Ajok F Adult
9. Aleer Deng Kon M Adult
10. Jima Dhieu Parkalo M Adult
11. Garang Manyuon Deng M Adult
12. Maduk Yuol Ader M Adult
13. Alam Marial Deng F Adult
14. Mose Nyaang Machot M Adult
15. Ruei Nyaang Gang M Adult
16. Nyakut Ayen Dak F Adult
17. Kuch Awan Lok M Executive Chief, Duk Panyang County
18. Machot Gierkuach Guk Aleer M Paramount Chief, Duk Panyang County
19. Pagaak Marial Derwei M Child
20. Harum Mohamed M Driver

The Rt. Rev. Daniel Deng Abot

Bishop, Diocese of Duk

Tel: +211 (0) 955 523 896 or +211 (0) 914 736 091 or AUS +614 322 9600

Email: danieldengabot@gmail.com

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