Diocese of Duk: Statement on the massacre of 51 innocent civilians in Duk Payuel
7 min readSTATEMENT 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
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.
- 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 |
–
- 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 |
–
- 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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